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.
Matter of Balance: FAQ
A Matter of Balance is a program that helps older adults manage their concerns and fears about falling, while increasing physical activity levels. Research has shown that individuals who complete the program feel more confident increasing activity, plan to continue to exercise, and feel more comfortable talking about the fear of falling.
Participants will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
This program is intended for community-dwelling older adults who are able to problem solve, are concerned about falls, have sustained a fall in the past, or are interested in improving balance and strength.
Contact Information
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
