Senior Beat

By Carol Higgins Taylor

How often do we get the chance to really improve a senior’s quality of life? Envision a senior who doesn’t socialize much or who doesn’t get out in the community to do things because of fear. This fear in and of itself can be immobilizing.

What can be so powerful as to send a senior into a panic? The fear of falling.
Those who develop this fear often limit their activities, resulting in physical de-conditioning and making the risk of falling even greater. It is a vicious cycle.

The less active you are in the hopes of preventing a fall, the more likely you are to take a tumble because your muscles have lost some strength.

In addition, many older adults experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends.

Imagine not going to church or to lunch with a friend or to grandchildren’s birthday parties.

There is a way you can help. Eastern Area Agency on Aging is looking for A Matter of Balance coaches.

This fall risk prevention program teaches seniors how to manage their fears of falling, to view falls as controllable, to make changes in their homes to reduce the risk of falls and to do exercises to increase strength and balance.
If you like people, are organized and are looking for a volunteer opportunity where you can make a visible and personal difference, give us a call. In no time, people may be calling you “coach.”

“These volunteer coaches receive training, then lead the classes,” said Lisa Dunning, health programs coordinator. “The reward is tremendous — just knowing that they have helped an older person reduce his or her fear and risk of falling is incredible. It’s great at the end of the session to hear the students say how much better they feel about being active and how their balance has improved.”

The lessons learned in A Matter of Balance can last a lifetime, keeping the senior independent longer.

“This program acknowledges seniors’ fear of falling but uses practical, everyday solutions to help them overcome it,” said Dunning. “Many seniors live with the fear of falling, which can be almost as dangerous as falling itself — just in a different way. We want seniors to really understand that they have a lot of control over their environment, but we can’t do it alone. We need coaches who have a passion for helping and who can’t bear the thought that a senior might be sitting alone at home and feeling isolated for no other reason than the fear that a fall might occur.”

A Matter of Balance classes can help people improve their quality of life and remain independent. The course is held in eight two-hour sessions, either once a week for eight weeks or twice a week for four weeks.

Here is what you’ll teach people as a coach:

· To view falls and the fear of falling as controllable.

· To set realistic goals for increasing activity.

· To change their home environment to reduce risk factors for falls, such as removing area or scatter rugs.

· To do exercises that will increase strength and balance.

The classes accomplish these goals through group discussion, group problem solving, skill building, exercising, watching videos and finding practical solutions to eliminate the fear of falling.

If you would like to help seniors stay active and enjoy life, become a coach for A Matter of Balance. The next training will be held 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, March 26, at Beal College, 99 Farm Road, Bangor. To sign up, call Lisa at EAAA, 941-2865.

Being a coach for A Matter of Balance is a step in the right direction toward making a difference to a senior.

Carol Higgins Taylor is director of communications at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. E-mail Higgins Taylor at chtaylor@eaaa.org. For information on EAAA, call 941-2865, toll-free 432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or log on EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.