Fall Prevention Master Trainer Bernadette Lauritzen, left, with members of LARSO’s first graduating class of the Matter of Balance Program. Photo by Karen Breault
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Matter of Balance – Master Trainer
LARSO
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) recently trained four Master Trainers in Fall Prevention, during the month of May and implemented the new program the following week.
A Matter of Balance (MOB) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.
The first graduating class completed the eighth session program last week, celebrating with certificates of completion and a small party for the 12 graduates.
The program is designed to offer eight sessions, twice a week for a two-hour time period or once a week for eight weeks, also for a two-hour session. It is described as cognitive re-thinking about falls with a little bit of exercise.
The work comes from MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging and is an approved program for the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department and the New Mexico Area Agency on Aging. While this was the first class offered since prior to the pandemic, the hope is to receive funds starting July 1 to add additional classes throughout the new fiscal year.
“Teaching this class was incredibly rewarding and enlightening,” said Master Trainer Kate Cleveland, small business owner of Kiss Your Food. “I loved seeing the mindset transformation from when the students arrived to when they graduated. It’s so empowering for people to be able to continue doing the things they love. Learning strategies and thinking about how they can carry on doing things in a safe way as they age really enriches their lives.”
The topics covered include:
- Addressing the fears of falling:
- Home and community safety;
- Addressing positive and negative thinking;
- Making simple changes; and
- A wealth of resources and simple exercises to build skills.
One highlight of the class was a special guest presentation from local professional provider Glenn Banks, a physical therapist from Christus St. Vincent Sports Therapy here in Los Alamos. Banks has had a career in physical therapy for the last 24 years. He taught the class the best way to recover from a fall, including how to get up and what to look for after you fall.
“We are so pleased to have our Fall Prevention class back up and running,” LARSO Executive Director Jacci Gruninger said. “Our seniors have developed strength creating a greater sense of balance as well as learned tips and techniques for preventing falls in and out of their homes.”
The classes are taught by two instructors with hopes for the next class to be offered at the White Rock Senior Center. The team is working on selecting dates for September as the senior centers await their contract for the new year. The details will be included in the September issue of the LARSO newsletter and senior center members over 60 are given priority. It is free for community elders over 60 to join the centers and the class is also 100% FREE.
You can learn about what the local senior centers have to offer at www.LARSO.org or their Facebook page @Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization. You can learn more about trainer Kate Cleveland at www.KissYourFood.com.
Local Physical Therapist Glenn Banks of Christus St. Vincent Sports Therapy in Los Alamos demonstrates what to do right after a fall. Photo by Karen Breault
Local Physical Therapist Glenn Banks of Christus St. Vincent Sports Therapy in Los Alamos demonstrates a variety of considerations after a fall from being aware not to cause additional injury to ways to get if help is unavailable. Photo by Karen Breault
