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| Photo: The Veterans and Staff who participated in the WBRC's 'Pilot' MOB Program |
In 2015 the WBRC
piloted a new fall prevention program called Matter of Balance.
Matter of Balance is a nationwide, evidence based fall prevention
program for older adults. It addresses
the fear of falling, fall prevention measures, and simple exercises to promote
health and balance.
The program was developed through research by the Roybal
Center for Enhancement of Late-Life Function at Boston University. Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the
fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have
concerns about falls.
The WBRC is the first VA and first Blind Rehabilitation
Center to adopt this program. It is also
the only Matter of Balance program that is offered as inpatient treatment for
Veterans with visual impairment. The
program runs for four weeks and is group based with up to six Veterans and up
to three Matter of Balance Coaches.
Some information about the program:
- Matter of Balance group classes take place twice a week.
- Veterans have the opportunity for one-on-one assessment and training options in additional skill areas such as Orientation & Mobility, Living Skills, and Visual Skills.
- Matter of Balance daily group exercise sessions start in week two.
- Additional group educational sessions on MyHealtheVet and devices such as use of a grabber/reacher (as many falls involve reaching for objects).
- Matter of Balance group Community Outings provide the opportunity to apply newly learned skills.
- Veterans may also participate in regularly scheduled WBRC Recreation Therapy activities, as well as the Student Forum and the Relaxation Group.
- Access to skilled nursing care 24 hours per day.
An additional Matter of Balance Session was held in the
Beginning of 2016 with similar results.
The Veterans who graduated from the Matter of Balance program encouraged
the WBRC to keep this program going for other Veterans. Participants rated the program highly.
A few quotes from the first WBRC Matter of Balance
participants:
“I feel more comfortable talking about falls with my family.
More aware of what I am doing and how I am doing it…”
“I am doing the seated marching before standing up to limber
me up to prevent falling”
“I feel better informed on the use of my walker…and on the
use and value of the exercises involved in the program”
WBRC’s next scheduled Matter of Balance sessions are
April 4th through April 29th, 2016 & July 11th through
August 5th, 2016.
Talk to your Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST)
Coordinator about being referred to this specialty program, or contact the WBRC
at (650) 614-9952 to learn about future Matter of Balance session dates.
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