Fall 2011 - Presbyterian Homes & Services

Lueders says that throughout the class,
“action plans” are crucial. These sets of
concrete steps help residents achieve
manageable goals, such as exercising more.
The plans are personally crafted to help
each individual achieve their goals, no
matter their current physical health. As a
result of her action plan, Isabelle installed
a handle in her shower and increased the
number of rings on her phone from four
to eight, to prevent herself from rushing
carelessly to the phone.
“We had to make lists of what we thought
we needed to do and then how to go about
doing it,” Isabelle remarks. “I might have
put it off and put it off, but with the class,
it inspired me to get it done right now.”
The class was developed by Boston
University in coalition with the National
Institute on Aging. PHS worked with the
Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (MAAA)
to train instructors for the course, which
follows guidelines prescribed by Boston
University, including the small class size.
After two days of training, the instructors’
teaching methods are reviewed by the
MAAA before they are officially qualified
to lead A Matter of Balance.
Interest in the course at The Deerfield
was so high that, in one day, it reached
maximum registration with a waiting
list, according to Jackie Waalen, Resident
Services Director at The Deerfield. Waalen
says the excitement of the residents
inspired her and Lueders to take the
necessary steps to offer the class.
“We worked hard to make sure A Matter of
Balance happened at The Deerfield as soon
as possible,” Waalen notes.
A Matter of Balance was given a trial run
at another PHS community, EagleCrest
in Roseville, MN, before it was offered
elsewhere. Boutwells Landing in Oak
Park Heights, MN, and Waverly Gardens
in North Oaks, MN have experienced
the benefits of the program so far. Sites
including Stonecrest in Woodbury, MN
and Croixdale in Bayport, MN will be
providing the course soon.
JoAnn Wrich, Campus Administrator at
The Deerfield, sees and hears how the
residents appreciate the course and are
changing their thoughts and actions to
be proactive instead of reactive.
As for Isabelle, she attributes her
increased awareness of possible dangers
to the class. She is not letting her vision
limitations hold her back, but approaches
life with more common sense and care.
She feels more assured of her balance
and better prepared to continue her
favorite activities.
For other older adults who have not yet
taken A Matter of Balance, Isabelle gives
it a strong endorsement.
“As we get older, we all lose balance and
we need to be aware of that to prevent
falls,” she observes. “I highly recommend
this class to anyone. It is well worth the
eight weeks.”
For more information, go to
www.mnfallsprevention.org.
Isabelle O’Connell
practices a balance
exercise with the
assistance of Instructor
Lynn Lueders.
The program helps residents combat fears
and reshape their mindset regarding falls.
~ Kelsey Osterman
perspectives 13