A Matter of Balance participants learn how to avoid falls

 Concerns about Falls is a program based on the fear of falling. For many people this fear grows with age, and hinders one's willingness to do things, thinking, “What if I get hurt,” or “I'm afraid I could fall.”

Some of the things done throughout the program were to individually survey fall-related attitudes to see if one accepts fall as a natural part of growing old. Many think falls cannot be prevented, so that fear may keep them isolated at home, and miss out on social occasions as a result. Discussing falls with doctors and family is encouraged. Recognizing that people may fall at any stage in life makes it less humiliating. Learning how to strengthen the body so as to avoid falls as much as possible is helpful. Being safety conscious, and aware of when one perhaps should stay home (i.e. extreme weather), or how to conquer fears of a fall in other circumstances. 

This was done through a series of exercises and deep breathing designed to strengthen the body and limbs, resulting in increasing your balance over time, taught by Becky Agnew and Pam Goebel. 

These exercises are tested so we know they can improve balance,” Becky stated.  

“Your thoughts about falling affect your actions. To overcome your concerns about falling you need mental as well as physical skills. Fear directs your feeling and actions. Once it takes over, it can convince you to restrict your life...

“You might stop visiting friends, taking walks, doing things that have brought you pleasure. It can interfere with basic activities, such as cooking, cleaning, taking showers. It can take away your independence, blocks your attempts at problem-solving, and take away the power you have to control your life,” the handbook states in the section on Evaluating Thoughts about Falling. Then it can lead you to be so inactive your muscles and bones become very weak, making you more likely to fall. 

“Replacing your fears with constructive thoughts is important to gain confidence to go beyond fear to keep active and exercise regularly,” Becky and Pam confirmed.

A safety evaluation of one's home was also recommended to identify areas where improvements could be done to make it safer. A list of considerations was included in the handbook.

Some comments from class members at the end of the program:

“I broke my femer and fell nearly two years ago. Taking this class and also going to exercise in Gonvick has motivated me to do something to get stronger again,” says Jeanette Hetland from Gonvick. “I learned how important the ankles are for balance, too.”

Bertina Hanson said, “I found the class to be very helpful.”

“Now it's easier to move areas of the body that we could not move before. I like these exercises because you can do in in your own home,” said Mary Lofthus. 

Participants were encouraged to continue using the information and exercises after the program ended.

The program is sponsored by “Land of Dancing Sky, Agency on Aging” in conjunction with the Bagley Nursing Service. Becky Agnew and Pam Goebel were lay leaders of the four week program, with a total of eight sessions. They are planning to conduct the program again in spring in the northern part of Clearwater County.