Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People
who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in
physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance
is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase
activity levels among older adults.
Ten people recently completed a Matter of Balance program
at Horn Memorial Hospital. Throughout
the eight-class course, participants learned how to view falls and fear of
falling as controllable, set realistic goals for increasing activity, change
their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and to promote exercise and
increase strength and balance. The
classes were conducted by trained Matter of Balance coaches Beth Ortner and
Lori Volkert.
Pictured are: Beth Ortner, MOB coach, Merle Schramm, Dean Miles, Audrey Schramm, Janet Miles, Sally Porter, Susan Miller, Mary Lou Redenius, Karen Broan, Alva Lill, Jimmie Lewis, and Lori Volkert, MOB coach.
