OHSU

Matter of Balance for Seniors

About the Program

Matter of Balance is an eight week, evidence-based senior fall prevention program that was developed at the Roybal Center of Boston University and is promoted by MaineHealth and the Partnership for Healthy Aging. Classes are held throughout Oregon in eight week sessions with a group of ten to twelve participants.

During the class, participants learn to:

  • View falls and fear of falling as controllable
  • Set realistic goals to increase activity
  • Change their environment to reduce fall risk factors
  • Exercise to increase strength and balance

Matter of Balance Class Flyer 

 

Who should participate in Matter of Balance?

The program was designed to benefit community-dwelling 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 years or older, ambulatory, and able to problem solve

 

Current/Upcoming Classes

Current session runs January-March 2013. For more information about upcoming classes, call 503-494-5353 or email matterofbalance@ohsu.edu

 

Volunteer with Matter of Balance

The Matter of Balance program follows a lay leader model, meaning that it is taught by trained volunteers. We are always in need of volunteers who can help lead a class or assist another volunteer in leading a class. Becoming a volunteer coach with Matter of Balance requires a minimum 8-hour training session as well as a commitment to sixteen hours of teaching. For more information on the program or volunteering, you can contact us at 503-494-5353 or email matterofbalance@ohsu.edu. To sign up as a volunteer, simply fill out our new volunteer survey.

 

Sponsoring Partner

A special thanks to the OHSU Trauma Center for collaborating with ThinkFirst Oregon to sponsor the presentation of Matter of Balance throughout the Portland metropolitan area in senior centers and assisted living facilities in an effort to decrease the rate of ground level falls in senior citizens.

 

Resources