A Matter of Balance

Many older adults have concerns when it comes to falling. Individuals who develop a fear of falling often limit their activities, which can result in physical inactivity, making their fall risk greater.

A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based falls prevention program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase physical activity levels among older adults.

This program includes eight two-hour classes, presented to a small group of 8-12 participants and led by trained coaches. The program helps participants reduce their fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, increasing their activity levels, reducing fall hazards in their homes, and learning exercises to increase their strength and balance.

Participants learn the importance of exercise in preventing falls and are taught exercises to improve coordination, strength, and balance. Topics included throughout the program are home safety, assertiveness, developing positive strategies for change, reducing barriers to exercise, identifying physical risk factors for falls, recognizing misconceptions about falls, and moving from self-defeating to self-motivating thoughts.

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

Telephone: (405) 426-8440
Fax: (405) 900-7588
Email: injury@health.ok.gov