Falls Prevention

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is an evidence-based falls prevention program designed for use in community-based organizations. Growing evidence indicates that Tai Chi eight-form exercises effectively improve balance, reduce functional limitations, and increase muscle strength, thereby lowering the risk of falling. 

TCAFP is an evidence-based fall prevention program that utilizes Sun style movements to improve balance, strength, and posture.

Target Audience
Adults with or without arthritis; rheumatic disease or related musculoskeletal conditions; mild, moderate, or severe joint pain; and those at risk of falling.

Length
TCAFP classes are offered for 8 weeks with two 1-hour sessions per week or 16 weeks with one 1-hour session per week.

A Matter of Balance (MOB)

MOB is an evidence-based, structured group intervention program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.  

SAIL is an evidence-based falls prevention program focusing on strength, balance and fitness.

Target Audience

The primary focus of SAIL is community-dwelling adults 65 years and older and adults with a history of falls. The SAIL program can accommodate individuals with mild mobility difficulties.

Length

SAIL classes are held 2 to 3 times a week as one-hour sessions, and the exercises can be done standing or sitting. 

A community-based, physical activity and self-management education program.

Participants enroll in a six-week class, which can be an in-person group, self-directed, or self-directed enhanced (a combination of online and in-person) and may help:

• Reduce pain/discomfort of arthritis.
• Increase balance, strength and walking pace.
• Build confidence in ability to be physically active.
• Improve overall health.

For more information, visit Walk With Ease.

• CDC Stay Independent Brochure
• Oklahoma Human Services Fall Prevention Resources
• Still Going Strong
• STEADI: Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries
• Home Safety Guide: Preventing Falls (English) (Spanish)
• Home Fall Prevention Checklist (English) (Spanish)

The CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) initiative provides educational resources to assist health care providers with treating older adults who are at risk of falling, or who may have fallen in the past. STEADI consists of three core elements:

• Screen patients for fall risk
• Assess modifiable factors
• Intervene to reduce fall risk by using effective strategies

For more information on the components of STEADI, including screening options, medications linked to falls, standardized gait and balance assessment tests, and online trainings that offer continuing education, visit CDC - STEADI.

The goal of the Healthy Aging in Oklahoma newsletter is to increase resource sharing across state and local community organizations to reduce morbidity and mortality among older adults in Oklahoma. The newsletter covers a variety of topics, including falls prevention, the Oklahoma Healthy Brain Initiative and older adult mental health. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please fill out this form, or contact the Injury Prevention Service.