Aging In Place

A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program?

Diane Carbo

06 Oct 2023 — 10 min read

Welcome! This blog post focuses on the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program. It is an evidence-based program specifically designed to decrease the risk of falls among older adults and ultimately, reduce long-term care costs. By understanding the program’s history, benefits, components, requirements, implementation strategies, and challenges, readers will gain valuable insight into how to create a successful fall prevention program at their organization. In addition, this post provides helpful resources and further reading material to get started. Let’s dive right in!

The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program was developed at the Roybal Center at Boston University in 1992, with the goal of reducing older adults’ fear of falling and increasing activity levels. Over time, the program has become acclaimed for its success in depreciating hazards of falls in older adults. It is a program offered by many local Office on Aging.

The goal of the A Matter of Balance Program is to teach the skills needed to reduce the risk of falls by increasing strength and balance, and by changing one’s environment and behavior to be more fall-proof. The program also strives to develop an understanding of how to modify one’s lifestyle to reduce fall risks, as well as teaching participants how to maintain a sense of dignity and control over their own lives.

The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program consists of eight two-hour sessions, spread out over two to four weeks. The program is designed to be led by two trained leaders and can involve between 8-15 individuals. Each session involves objective setting, problem solving, self-monitoring, and exercise components. Additionally, the program includes both group sessions and individual home visits. During the home visits, peers leaders practice what has been learned in the group sessions, as well as identifying specific hazards that may increase the likelihood of a fall. Finally, follow-up calls are used to ensure long-term success in practicing the strategies learned during the program.

The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program has been shown to be highly effective in helping people reduce their risk of falls and attendant long-term care costs. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in senior adults, and the program is designed to help reduce the incidence of these events. The program focuses on increasing the safety of participants' homes by teaching strategies for making daily activities easier and safer, improving overall balance and mobility, providing evidence-based fall prevention strategies, and educating about the importance of medication management and vision awareness.

In addition to providing a safe environment, the program also helps participants identify and modify their own environmental risk factors. This includes addressing trip hazards such as area rugs, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, and slippery surfaces. In addition, participants will develop individualized fall risk reduction plans, which include exercises designed to increase strength, endurance, flexibility and balance.

The program is also beneficial for caretakers and family members, as it not only reduces participants' fall risks, but also educates them on how to support older adults in their care. This includes strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles, providing educational resources, and how to respond in an emergency. Furthermore, the program helps build a sense of “community” amongst the participants, which can provide valuable social and emotional support.

Overall, the A Matter of Balance program provides numerous potential benefits for both participants and their caretakers. By helping to identify and manage various fall risks, the program can help to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, and in turn, reduce the long-term costs of medical care.

The Four Primary Components of the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program

The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program consists of four main components: group sessions, home visits, peer leader support, and follow-up calls. Each of these components has its own purpose and benefits, and together they deliver a comprehensive strategy for reducing the risk of falls in older adults.

Group Sessions

Group sessions are held either at a senior center or in a residential setting. During these sessions, participants discuss topics related to fall prevention with an instructor. They learn exercises for strength and balance, get tips on how to make their homes safer, and receive educational materials that serve as reference guides.

Home Visits

Home visits are an important part of the program because they allow the instructor to observe and assess potential risks in the home environment. The instructor then works with the participant to identify and reduce any hazardous conditions within the home.

Peer Leader Support

Peer leader support is available to all participants to provide additional assistance and motivation. Peer leaders are experienced in the areas of fall prevention and can provide feedback and advice on specific challenges faced by participants.

Follow-up Calls

Follow-up calls are made by the instructor to assess progress and offer further support and guidance. During these calls, participants can review any issues that have arisen since the last session and develop solutions to address them.

The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is a comprehensive approach to reducing falls and fall-related problems among older adults. To ensure successful implementation of the program, there are some necessary requirements that must be met by the organization running it.

Training and certification are key elements when it comes to successful implementation of the program. Organizations should ensure that all facilitators of the program have received proper training and have been certified in the A Matter of Balance curriculum. Additionally, organizations should make sure that facilitators are ready to manage the various components of the program - group sessions, individual home visits, peer leader support, and follow-up calls.

Organizations should also consider having access to other community resources such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and primary care physicians. This will ensure that facilitators of the program are able to refer participants to necessary medical services when deemed necessary.

Organizations should also look into whether they have adequate resources to run the program. This includes having enough space to hold group sessions and enough volunteers or staff members available to facilitate the program. Additionally, organizations need to make sure that they have the necessary materials and resources available for participants to complete activities as part of the program.

Finally, organizations should be aware of any potential legal or ethical considerations before running the program. All programs should abide by applicable laws and regulations, and organizations should also take into account potential privacy and safety concerns that may arise when running the program.

By satisfying the above elements, organizations can ensure that they are properly prepared to implement the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program.

One of the most important aspects in successfully implementing the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is seeing successful implementation stories. Looking at how the program has been successful elsewhere can help you understand the potential impact it can have and motivate you to bring it to your own organization.

There have been numerous implementations of the program across a wide range of settings, from medical centers to senior community centers to residential homes. Overall, the program has been shown to reduce the risk of falls for older adults and help to lower costs associated with long-term care.

For example, one study examining the program’s impact in a nursing home showed an overall reduction in fall rates by more than 20%. Additionally, the proportion of falls resulting in serious injury was reduced by more than half. In another case, the program was implemented in a community setting and resulted in a significant decrease in fear of falling, as well as falls resulting in hospitalizations or deaths.

Overall, the success stories that come out of A Matter of Balance implementations demonstrate the valuable impact the program can have. Implementing the program in any setting can help reduce the risk of falls and lead to improved outcomes for older adults.

One of the challenges of implementing the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is the cost associated with it. While the program has been proven to reduce the risk of falls and long-term care costs, it can also be expensive to set up. In order to run the program in an efficient manner, there are necessary requirements such as training and certification that must be met. This means that organizations need to ensure they have the necessary resources and funding to implement the program.

Another challenge faced by organizations when implementing the program is the time and effort required to do so. Each component of the program, such as group sessions, home visits, peer leader support and follow-up calls, needs to be managed carefully in order to ensure success. This means that organizations need to dedicate time and resources to organizing and leading these activities.

It can also be difficult to get buy-in from both patients and staff members during the implementation phase. People may be reluctant to attend the group sessions or be hesitant to take part in certain activities. In addition, staff members may not be willing to commit to the program due to lack of time and resources. It is important that organizations create an environment that encourages people to take part and fully commit to the program.

Finally, there is always the possibility that the program may not be successful. There may be unforeseen issues that arise, or the program may not reach its desired outcome. It is important for organizations to be aware of the risks involved and be prepared to adjust their strategies if needed.

In conclusion, while the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is a great way to reduce the risk of falls, there are also some challenges associated with its implementation. Organizations need to ensure they have the necessary resources and funding, and be prepared to dedicate the necessary time and effort to ensure its success.

One of the best ways to ensure a successful implementation of any program is to have access to the right kind of resources. The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is no exception. To help organizations get started, here are some useful resources that can provide guidance and direction through the process.

First, we recommend The National Council on Aging’s online resources on fall prevention. NCOA provides a comprehensive guide to the program, as well complete with research and tools that organizations can use to implement the program. Additionally, the American Geriatrics Society also offers information and resources for organizations looking to develop their own program.

When implementing the program, it is important to carefully consider the environment and circumstances that will inform the design. This is where the National Institute on Aging’s Five Practical Steps to Fall Prevention can be of great help. Through the hard work of their team, NIA has gathered an extensive array of evidence-based fall prevention strategies tailored specifically to different populations and environments.

Finally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries (STEADI) Toolkit provides evidence-based tools and materials to help organizations create effective fall prevention programs. The toolkit includes everything from fact sheets to assessment forms that can be scaled to fit any setting.

With these resources in hand, organizations can be sure they have all the necessary information and tools to implement the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program effectively.

This guide has outlined the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program, with details on its history, benefits, four primary components, necessary requirements and successful implementations. We have also discussed the challenges faced in successful implementation and provided resources and further reading for those who wish to learn more. In summary, the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is an evidence-based program designed to reduce the rate of falls and long-term costs associated with them. Through group sessions, home visits, peer leader support and follow-up calls, the program can be successfully implemented in various settings and lead to improved outcomes. Organizations should consider this program as a way to decrease fall-related incidents and provide better care to their residents.

Falls can have a serious impact on elderly individuals, both physically and emotionally. It is therefore of utmost importance to protect older adults from falls, to reduce their risk of injury and death and ensure that they live healthy and independent lives. The A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program is an evidence-based program which works to reduce the fear of falling among older adults, build confidence, and improve activity levels.

The program is composed of four core components: group sessions, home visits, peer leader support, and follow-up calls. These components provide education on falls, practice of balance and strength exercises, and opportunities for participants to interact and share experiences with others. The program has been successfully implemented in various settings, and is known to reduce falls and long-term care costs.

Organizations need to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for successfully managing and running the program, such as sufficient resources and properly trained staff. Despite the benefits of the program, there may still be challenges when implementing it. These can include identifying participants who will benefit from the program, as well as ensuring the continuity of the participants’ involvement throughout the program.

It is important to acknowledge the need and value of fall prevention programs, especially the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program, and to help organizations implement them. With the right resources and information, the successful implementation of this program can ultimately mean a greater sense of independence and improved quality of life among elderly individuals.

If you're convinced of the importance of implementing a fall prevention program, such as the A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program, in your organization, now is the time to take action. Implementing these programs and their components helps employees reduce the risk of falls at home and in the workplace.

Take the initiative and start today. Start by researching the necessary requirements and familiarize yourself with the four primary components of the program. You should also consider attending a training program to ensure that you have the skills and knowledge needed to implement and manage the program.

It's also important to reach out to the experts who develop and run the program, as they can provide valuable advice on how to get started and what challenges may arise in the process. Finally, don't forget to check out the resources and further reading section for more information and tips.

Once you have all the necessary training, information, and support, it's time to get started - your organization's safety depends on it!