Falls Prevention
To apply for the Matter of Balance Coach Training, use the on line form at this link:
Register Here
Thank you for your interest in our Falls Prevention program for older adults. The Falls Prevention program is funded by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). We provide classes taught by certified Master Trainers for the Capital Area who train Lay Leader Volunteer coaches for the Matter of Balance falls prevention classes.
Falls among older adults are frequent causes of injury and death:
- Falls account for 70% of all emergency room admissions among older adults (National Safety Council, 2007).
- Falls account for 40% of all nursing home placements (CDC, 2007).
- Falls are the leading cause of accidental death among adults age 65 and over (CDC, 2007).
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimated that in 2007, over one million older Texans would fall, resulting in nearly 900 deaths (HHSC, 2007).
Recognizing the grim consequences of falls, one-third to one-half of older adults experience a fear of falling. Studies indicate that up to 56% of community-dwelling older adults curtail their activities in order to avoid falling, leading to decreased physical and emotional health.
The nonprofit Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) is providing training in the Matter of Balance lay leader model to members of the community who want to be falls prevention Coaches. Coaches who receive this training can provide classes to small groups of adults who are over 60, ambulatory, and able to problem-solve.
Because funds are provided through DADS and the Texas Falls Prevention Coalition, we can provide the two-day Coach Training without cost for training or materials. The low cost of the program makes it possible to reach a large part of our community.
This training is appropriate for staff or individual volunteers who enjoy contact with older adults, are willing to lead a small group, and who can keep fidelity to the evidence-based lessons. We ask for a commitment to teach at least one class for a dozen participants after the Coach training is complete. The Master Trainers provide ongoing support to Coaches in the local area.
Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Matter of Balance?
A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have this concern. It is based upon research conducted by the Roybal Center for Enhancement of Late-Life Function at Boston University.
What is the volunteer lay leader model?
The Volunteer Lay Leader Model utilizes trained volunteers, called coaches, to conduct the class which consists of eight two-hour sessions for groups of 10 to 12 participants. Because A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader Model reduces the cost of the intervention, the program can be offered more frequently and in a wider variety of settings, thereby reaching a significantly higher number of older adults.
A Matter of Balance Volunteer Lay Leader Model is a copyrighted program. Organizations can be licensed as Master Trainer Sites to train coaches and implement the program.
In October 2003, the Administration on Aging awarded three-year evidence-based disease prevention grants. Southern Maine Agency on Aging, MaineHealth's Partnership for Healthy Aging, Maine Medical Center Division of Geriatrics, and the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work received funding to translate A Matter of Balance into a program that uses volunteer lay leaders as facilitators instead of health care professionals and to serve as an innovative national model for addressing fall prevention.
A Matter of Balance Class
What are the components of A Matter of Balance?
A Matter of Balance is a structured group intervention, which utilizes a variety of activities to address physical, social, and cognitive factors affecting fear of falling and to learn fall prevention strategies. The activities include group discussion, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, videotapes, sharing practical solutions and exercise training. During the class, participants learn to:
~ view falls and fear of falling as controllable (involves changing behavior with a focus on building falls self-efficacy, i.e. the belief that one can engage in
an activity without falling)
~ set realistic goals for increasing activity (by instilling adaptive beliefs such as greater perceived control, greater confidence in one's abilities, and more
realistic assessment of failures)
~ change their environment to reduce fall risk factors (uses a home safety evaluation and action planner to reduce fall risk hazards in the home and
community.)
~ promote exercise to increase strength and balance
Each of the eight sessions is two hours in length including a break for light refreshments. Early sessions focus on changing attitudes and self-efficacy before attempting changes in actual behavior. The exercise component, which begins in the third session, takes about 30 minutes of the session to complete.
Who should attend A Matter of Balance?
The program was designed to benefit community-dwelling older adults who:
~ are concerned about falls
~ have sustained a fall in the past
~ restrict activities because of concerns about falling
~ are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength
~ are age 60 or older, ambulatory and able to problem-solve
What is the recommended class size?
A Matter of Balance is a structured group intervention, which utilizes a variety of activities such as group discussion, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, and sharing practical solutions. The ideal class size to facilitate discussion is 10- 12 participants (minimum of 8, maximum of 14 ).
What space and equipment is needed to host A Matter of Balance?
The classroom should be ADA accessible and have enough space for each participant to exercise and move around comfortably. The room should have chairs and tables, preferably set up in a U-shape and a space to set up snacks. The materials needed include name tags, attendance sheet, pencils, markers, tape, flip chart and stand, TV with DVD/VCR, participant workbooks and healthy snacks for each session.
A Matter of Balance Coaches
Who leads A Matter of Balance classes?
A Matter of Balance is led by volunteer coaches who complete an eight-hour training. Coaches teach the class in pairs.
What are the requirements to become A Matter of Balance Coach?
~ Good communication and interpersonal skills
~ Enthusiasm
~ Dependability
~ Willingness to lead a small group
~ Interest in working with older adults
~ Life experiences valued - with education or health care experience a plus
~ Ability to perform range of motion and low-level endurance exercises
~ Ability to carry up to 20 lbs
How do you become a coach?
~ Attend eight hours of coach training taught by the Master Trainer(s) and earn A Matter of
Balance Coach Certification
~ Attend 2.5 hours of coach training update annually
~ Agree to coach two Matter of Balance classes within one year of certification.
Coaches have reported feeling better to a lot better in the following areas as a result of their involvement with A Matter of Balance:
~ Sense of accomplishment
~ Purpose in life
~ Can make a positive difference in another person's life
~ Feelings about your health
~ Confidence in managing falls themselves
What is the recommended class size for a coach training?
The training is most effective with from 6 to 12 coaches.
To apply for the Matter of Balance Coach Training, use the on line form at this link:
Register Here
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A Matter of Balance Master Trainers
What is a Master Trainer?
A Master Trainer is responsible for teaching the A Matter of Balance curriculum to coaches and providing them with guidance and support as they lead the Matter of Balance classes.
What are the Master Trainer's responsibilities?
~ Teach A Matter of Balance curriculum to the coaches according to the directions,
training and materials provided
~ Assess each coach's understanding, ability and comfort with leading A Matter
of Balance classes
~ Be available to answer questions and provide support for coaches
~ Observe and evaluate the volunteer coaches using the Coach Observation
tool and process
~ Encourage and collect feedback from coaches using the Coach Feedback form
~ Pair experienced coaches with new coaches whenever possible
~ Recruit and train coaches, schedule classes and recruit participants
(depending upon organizational structure)
~ Participate in quarterly conference calls with other Master Trainer Sites
~ Measures outcomes and report quarterly
Measuring Outcomes
What are the class outcomes for A Matter of Balance Volunteer Lay Leader Model?
After completing A Matter of Balance:*
~ 97% of participants are more comfortable talking about fear of falling
~ 97% feel comfortable increasing activity
~ 99% plan to continue exercising
~ 98% would recommend MOB
~ Participant Class Evaluation- % agree to strongly agree
Preliminary findings of the participant outcome evaluation indicate that there were significant improvements for participants regarding their level of falls management, that is the degree of confidence participants perceive concerning their ability to manage the risk of falls and of actual falls; falls control, that is the degree to which participants perceive their ability to prevent falls; level of exercise; and social limitations with regard to concern about falling. These measures indicate that the program has been successful to date in reducing the fear of falling by increasing participants' confidence that they can manage falls risk better and actual falls if they occur and that they can take action to help reduce the risk of falling. In addition, participants indicated that their concerns about falling are interfering less with their social activity and they report that they have increased their exercise levels. (Healy, McMahon, Haynes, ASA/NCOA presentation, Sustainability through Collaboration: An AoA Evidence-Based Prevention Program for the Elderly, March, 2006.)
What tools are used to measure outcomes?
~ Initial survey (given during the first class) with questions regarding falls
management, social activity, exercise levels, and background information.
~ Last class survey; repeat of questions regarding falls management, social
activity and exercise levels.
~ Last class evaluation with questions concerning comfort in talking about
fear of falling, changes made to environment, comfort in increasing activity
levels, plans to increase activity levels, and background information.
(Healy, Haynes, ASA/NCOA presentation, A Matter of Balance: Volunteer Lay Leader Model: Key Elements in the Translation of a Professionally Lead Program, March, 2006.)
How is fidelity to the program maintained?
To maintain fidelity to the original program the following strategies are used:
~ Master Trainer Certification is required for an organization to implement
the program
~ Two day coach training based on original A Matter of Balance curriculum
(fidelity stressed)
~ Master trainers observe volunteer coaches during the two day training
and at a Matter of Balance class
~ Coaching skills observation and coach feedback process and forms have
been developed
~ Collaboration with healthcare professionals to visit the A Matter of Balance
class using the Guest Therapist Handbook as a resource.
MaineHealth's Partnership for Healthy Aging
465 Congress St., Suite 701
Portland, ME 04101
207-775-1095
http://www.MaineHealth.org/pfha
Since 2002, PfHA and its partners have earned the following national recognition for their work with A Matter of Balance:
1) Healthy Aging: A Good Investment, Exemplary Programs for
Senior Centers and Other Facilities, National Council on the Aging,
Fall, 2002;
2) The Aging States Project: Promoting Opportunities for Collaboration
Between the Public Health and Aging Services Networks, January 2003;
3) National Governors' Association, May 2003;
4) Journal of Physical Activity and Aging, October, 2004, guest editorial by
the Assistant Secretary U.S. Administration on Aging;
5) Partnering for Healthy Aging, November, 2004, National Council on the Aging;
6) Healthcare and Aging Network Award for Quality and Innovation,
American Society on Aging, 2006.
7) Aging Innovations and Achievements Award, National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging, 2006.
Additional Information here
MaineHealth - Partnership for Healthy Aging - A Matter of Balance
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