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. It includes 8 two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by a trained facilitator. This nationally recognized program was developed at the Roybal Center at Boston University.
The program is designed to benefit older adults who:
Are concerned about falls
Have sustained falls in the past
Restrict activities because of concerns about falling
Are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength
Are age 60 or older, community-dwelling and able to problem solve
The program enables participants to achieve significant goals. They gain confidence by learning to: