NEK Council on Aging Offers Programs in Fall Prevention
According to the
National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most
common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.
One out of four Americans aged 65 and over falls every year.
In an effort to continually draw awareness to fall prevention, the Northeast
Kingdom Council on Aging (NEKCOA) offers several free programs for falls
prevention throughout the Northeast Kingdom all year long. They include Tai
Chi, line dancing, the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, and the award-winning
falls prevention program A Matter of Balance.
Endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, A Matter of Balance
is a free eight-week program that is designed to teach participants to view
falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to
reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. The
program was developed in the 1990’s at Boston University and is designed for
those at least 60 years old.
A Matter of Balance is for those who are concerned about falling, interested in
improving balance, flexibility and strength, have fallen in the past, and have
restricted their activities because of falling concerns. There are three
eight-week classes offered throughout 2019:
Derby Line at the First Universalist Parish (starting May 1st from 1 – 3
p.m.), Island Pond at Sunrise Manor (starting July 10th from 9 – 11
a.m.), and St. Johnsbury at the United Community Church (starting September 25
from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.).The co-leaders will be Karen Budde and Jenny Patoine.
In addition to retirement communities and senior centers, A Matter of Balance can be configured for a work site with older employees, fraternal clubs, social-service organizations, and church groups.
The full schedule of all wellness program classes is available in the Master Event Calendar.
To register for A Matter of Balance, call Karen Budde (800) 642-5119 or send an
email to: info@NEKCouncil.org
and place “AMOB” in the subject line.
