Help Senior Help Themselves Volunteer Fall Prevention Training

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Volunteer training will take place over two days: August 21 and 28 to achieve Certification as A Matter of Balance: Fall Prevention Coach

A Matter of Balance
Volunteer Lay Leader Model

Evidence-Based Falls Management Program for Older Adults
Program approved by AoA and NCOA Website: www.mainehealth.org/pfha Program Synopsis


General description of program

A Matter of Balance (MOB) acknowledges the risk of falling but emphasizes practical coping
strategies to reduce this fear.
These include:
✓ Promoting a view of falls and fear of falling as controllable
✓ Setting realistic goals for increasing activity
✓ Changing the environment to reduce fall risk factors
✓ Promoting exercise to increase strength and balance.
The workshop is conducted over eight sessions, meeting weekly or twice weekly for two hours per
session. Meetings are led by volunteer lay leaders called coaches. A Master Trainer is responsible
for teaching the Matter of Balance curriculum to the coaches and providing them with guidance and
support as they lead the Matter of Balance classes.
Program goal
The program’s goal is to reduce fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle, and increase
activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.
Reasoning behind the program design and elements

Studies indicate that up to half of community dwelling older adults experience fear of falling
(Howland, Peterson, Levin, Fried, Pordon, & Bak, 1993), and that many respond to this concern by
curtailing activity (Tinetti & Speechley, 1989).

✓ A majority of falls occur during routine activities.
✓ Falls usually are not caused by just one issue.
✓ A large portion of falls are preventable.
✓ Being inactive results in loss of muscle strength and balance. It can also compromise social
interaction and increase the risk for isolation, depression, and anxiety. Fear of falling can
actually contribute to falling.
✓ MOB acknowledges the risk of falling but emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce this
concern. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable and set realistic
goals for increasing activity.
✓ Participants also find ways to change the environment to reduce fall risk factors and learn
simple exercises to increase strength and balance.

✓ The group format provides an opportunity for people with a common problem to learn from each
other and to help each other deal with the

shared problem of fear of falling.
Target population

✓ 60 or older, ambulatory, able to problem-solve
✓ Concerned about falls
✓ Interested in improving flexibility, balance, and strength Essential program components and
activities
✓ Group discussion
✓ Problem-solving
✓ Skill building
✓ Assertiveness training
✓ Exercise training
✓ Sharing practical solutions
✓ Cognitive restructuring-learning to shift from negative to positive thinking patterns or thinking
about something in a different way.
Length/Timeframe of program

✓ Eight two-hour classes Recommended class size
✓ 8-14 participants Desired outcomes
✓ View falls and fear of falling as controllable
✓ Set realistic goals for increasing activity
✓ Change participants’ environment to reduce fall risk factors
✓ Increase strength and balance through exercise

Health Outcomes and Evidence Supporting Health Outcomes

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

Preliminary findings of the participant outcome evaluation indicate that there were significant
improvements for participants regarding their level of falls management (the degree of confidence
participants perceive concerning their ability to manage the risk of falls and of actual falls);
falls control (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,
aynes, McMahon, Botler, & Gross, 2008).