Jeannette Libby and her friends get together two mornings a week to exercise.  “I like to exercise with friends - we have fun,” says Jeannette.  This group exercise class takes place in the apartment complex where they live, the Margaret Chase Smith House in Augusta.  Having the class in their building makes it easy to get to, so there’s no excuse not to exercise, even when the weather is bad.

Jeannette’s group decided to begin their twice a week exercise class after attending a workshop series called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls.  The workshop, designed to help older adults prevent falls, was organized by Debbie Elcik, Administrative Assistant at Margaret Chase Smith House where 47 residents age 62 and over live.  “I was concerned because some of the residents here had taken some falls,” said Debbie.  She heard about the Matter of Balance workshop sponsored by Spectrum Generations, and attended training to learn how to facilitate the workshop and lead the exercise classes. 

There are many reasons why preventing falls is important.  Falls are responsible for 12% of all deaths, and 61% of all traumatic brain injuries among adults age 65+.  The risk of falling increases as we age.  Falls occur in 32% of people aged 65 to 74 and, 51% of people over age 85.  Falls are widely viewed as the beginning of a cycle of dependency, which may lead to the loss of ability to live on your own.  Many people believe that falls are a normal part of aging, and restricting their activities is the only way to stay safe. 

People who develop a fear of falling often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical de-conditioning making the risk of falling even greater.  Many also experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends.  A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls was designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have experienced falls, or who are concerned about falling.  It’s an interactive workshop series consisting of eight sessions.  Participants learn to identify safety risks at home, techniques for getting out of a chair or the shower safely, and share tips with one another.  A Matter of Balance helps seniors improve their quality of life and remain independent, while building their strength, stamina, and balance.  

Before starting her exercise routine, Jeannette said she wasn’t moving much, and didn’t have much energy.  In addition to attending the exercise class twice a week, she now walks more.  Jeannette said, “I have more energy, feel more flexible and stronger, and it helps my arthritis too.”

For more information about Matter of Balance workshops, please call Vicki Foster at Spectrum Generations, (207) 623-0764, ext. 126.

 Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to lead future workshops.  Spectrum Generations provides an eight-hour training program to volunteers who want to offer the workshops in their community.  For more information about the volunteer training or upcoming workshops, contact Vicki Foster at Spectrum Generations, (207) 623-0764, ext. 126.