A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is a program created by Boston University and designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have this concern. This program is 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. This workshop consists of eight (8), 2‐hour sessions for groups of 10‐15 participants. 30 minutes of each session is falls prevention exercises.
https://www.ncoa.org/resources/program-summary-a-matter-of-balance/
http://www.landofsky.org/fallprevention.html
BUILDING BETTER BALANCE OVERVIEW Building Better Balance is a program focused on raising awareness and conducting basic fall risk screenings for community-dwelling older adults. The program is based on evidence-based fall risk screening and healthcare recommendations. Participants are provided with healthcare and community resources for addressing their fall risk and a copy of their screening results to share with their primary care provider.
Building Better Balance is designed to be offered in various community locations; such as senior and community centers, housing complexes, churches, and congregate meal sites by a team of certified Building Better Balance Coaches and Screeners.
Building Better Balance is a basic fall risk screening program. Older adults who are at an increased risk for falls are referred to their primary care provider for an individualized, comprehensive assessment of their fall risk. On average, each participant’s screening takes about 10-15 minutes.
Building Better Balance can be implemented in any community. However, it is ideally suited for areas with limited resources and where more comprehensive screening services are not readily available.
Building Better Balance is an excellent gateway program to introduce older adults to evidence-based fall prevention programs and other community programs. Older adult can sign-up for programs immediately after their screening if opportunities are available.
U.S. Administration for Community Living Falls Prevention Grantee Tai Chi for Arthritis Information and Guidance The purpose of this document is to provide information and guidance regarding Tai Chi for Arthritis U.S. Administration for Community Living falls prevention grantees. What is Tai Chi for Arthritis? Developed by Dr. Paul Lam at the Tai Chi for Health Institute (TCHI), the program utilizes Tai Chi’s Sun style for its ability to improve relaxation, balance and its ease of use for older adults. The movements are taught to both left and right sides and with turns to move forward and backward to improve mobility and offer a variety of combinations. Tai Chi for Arthritis is led by a TCHI Board certified instructor, with each session including the following:
Warm-up and cool-down exercises
One or two movements per lesson, progressively leading to completing the six basic core movements and six advanced extension movements
Breathing techniques
Tai Chi principles including those relating to improving physical and mental balance Movements are performed at a higher stance to make it easier for older participants and those with arthritis.
Movements can be modified to accommodate mobility issues for any participant and can be done seated as a starting exercise. Outcomes Tai Chi for Arthritis has been shown to:
Improve balance
Increase muscular strength
Improve mobility
Increase flexibility
Improve psychological health
Decrease pain
Prevent falls
Target Audience The target audience is adults with or without arthritis, rheumatic diseases or related musculoskeletal conditions. The program is appropriate for people with mild, moderate and severe joint involvement and back pain. It is also appropriate for adults without arthritis who have a higher risk of falling. 2 Participation Requirements The following are participation requirements for Tai Chi for Arthritis. Participants must:
Attend a minimum of 16 hours of tai chi lessons. This can be accomplished by attending one hour per week for 16 weeks or two hours per week for eight weeks. The class must be conducted by current TCHI Board certified instructors to maintain the fidelity of the program. Instructors should strongly encourage participants to practice the tai chi program at home for half an hour daily, at least four days per week. This can be done in one half hour session or two fifteen minute ones. Naturally, practice longer within the participant’s comfort zone is even better. o Participants must attend at least one in-person class per week and be encouraged to practice at home. o An instructional DVD is available to help guide learning and home practice as well as other educational aids such as books, handbook and wall charts.
https://www.ncoa.org/resources/tai-chi-arthritis-program-information-guidance/
Moving for Better Balance is a 12-week evidence-based falls prevention program that uses the principles and movements of Tai Chi to help older adults increase their strength, improve their balance, and increase their confidence in doing everyday activities.
The program protocol consists of a core eight-form routine and a subroutine of eight integrated therapeutic movements forms that have been derived from the traditional 24-form Yang-style of Tai Chi, progressing from easy to more difficult which collectively involve a set of simple, rhythmic Tai Chi-based actions.
Led by a Moving for Better Balance trained instructor, this program focuses on improving mental cognitive and physical functional ability especially balance to reduce fall-related risks and fall frequency.
Participants receive an instruction book with lesson plans, tips on creating a safer home environment to prevent falls, and homework based on each week’s classwork.
Moving for Better Balance is recognized by the CDC, National Council on Aging, U.S. Administration on Aging, the Administration for Community Living, as well as various state falls prevention coalitions and departments of health and human services.
Training Requirements
Coach training
o Attend eight hours of coach training taught by the Master Trainer(s) and earn A Matter of Balance Coach Certification
o Attend 2.5 hours of coach training update annually
o Agree to coach two Matter of Balance classes within one year of certification
Instructor certification required o Yes
Instructor qualifications o Good communication and interpersonal skills
o Enthusiasm, dependability o Willingness to lead a small group
o Interest in working with older adults o Life experiences valued, with education or health care experience a plus
o Ability to perform range of motion and low-level endurance exercises
o Ability to carry up to 20 lbs
Number of instructors required per class
o Two; a new coach is paired with an experienced coach, when possible
o A healthcare professional (such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or registered nurse) visit to a MOB session to provide information and answer questions from parti
What is the role of a Building Better Balance Screener?
● A typical BBB community screening event is delivered by a BBB Coach and 2-4 BBB Screeners.
● BBB Screeners are responsible for staffing and conducting screenings at community sites by following the standardized Building Better Balance process.
● BBB Screeners are asked to assist with 1-3 screening events throughout the year.
All BBB Coaches and Screeners must be able to perform certain physical skills and promote safety during screenings, which include a walking and turning component.* These criteria include:
● The physical ability to walk with, and potentially steady, older adults during screening
● Hand dexterity and visual ability to operate and read a timer
● Wearing secure, non-skid footwear during screening events (walking shoes or sneakers are ideal)
* If you do not meet all of these requirements there may still be a role for you to assist with screenings, please contact laschrodt@gmail.com to ask about possible opportunities and also plan to attend the training.
Because screeners serve several roles during community screening events it is strongly recommended that screeners have a warm, supportive communication style, good verbal communication skills, and strong organizational skills. Familiarity with community and healthcare services in the region is helpful, but not required.
BUILDING BETTER BALANCE TRAINING Building Better Balance Coaches and Screeners are certified through a standardized training process involving workshop and hands-on learning. Because Building Better Balance is delivered in teams of one coach and several screeners, we encourage seeking out others in your community who may be interested in becoming certified. Other communities have found Building Better Balance to be a great opportunity for inter-agency collaboration around fall prevention.
For more information about the Building Better Balance program, please contact Lori Schrodt, PT, PhD at laschrodt@gmail.com
Tai Chi for Arthritis Training Tai Chi for Arthritis has various levels of instructors, including certified instructors, senior trainers, and master trainers. All levels of instructors must fulfil all requirements and attend in person respective training workshops as well as conduct prior preparation for the training. They are required to complete update certification every two years, to maintain and develop the quality of tai chi and teaching skill, and to adhere to the codes of ethics. Training requirements and all current authorized TCHI Board Certified Instructors, Senior Trainers, and Master Trainers are available on the Tai Chi for Health Institute website. Fidelity in Tai Chi for Arthritis is achieved by the availability of DVDs and text book to review techniques, skill building workshops, instructor support by senior and master trainers, and instructor certification updates every two years.