WBRC Outreach: Palo Alto VIST Meeting

Photo: Stock photograph of a Matter of Balance group discussion

Last Month WBRC was honored to be invited to present to the Palo Alto Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator's monthly meeting at the Palo Alto Hospital Campus.  Mrs. Summer Beasley, MA COMS, WBRC Blind Rehabilitation Specialist and Matter of Balance Coach, presented to the group, consisting of the VIST Coordinator and Veterans with vision loss and their families and caregivers.  The WBRC's new Matter of Balance program was reviewed and the group participated in some of the Matter of Balance exercises.


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's program is the first in the VA and the 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 4 weeks and is group based with up to six Veterans and up to three Matter of Balance Coaches.


Some Program Information:

• Matter of Balance group discussion classes take place twice per week.
• Veterans have the opportunity for one-on-one assessment and training options in additional skill areas such as Orientation and Mobility, Living Skills, and Visual Skills.
• Matter of Balance daily group exercise sessions start in week two.
• Additional group educational sessions occur on My HealtheVet and devices such as use of a reacher, etc.
• 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 Student Forum and Relaxation Group.
• Access to Skills Nursing Care 24 hours per day.

Interested Veterans with vision loss apply to the program by talking to their Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator about being referred to this WBRC specialty program, or can contact the WBRC at (650) 614-9952 to learn about Matter of Balance or future session dates.


If you would like to see if there is a local Matter of Balance session meeting near you, use this link to look up Master Trainers by state: http://www.mainhealth.org/mh_body.cfm?id=5159


If you are aware of an event which would be a good opportunity for WBRC outreach or would like WBRC to come and speak to your group, please contact Lindsay Hass, WBRC Blind Rehabilitation Specialist and Communication Committee Co-Chair at Lindsay.hass@va.gov or call the main WBRC line at (650) 614-9952 to make a request.

WBRC Now Accepting Applications for Upcoming 'Matter Of Balance Program' Sessions

Photo: The Veterans and Staff who participated in the WBRC's 'Pilot' MOB Program

By: John Kingston, COMS, WBRC Orientation and Mobility Department Supervisor

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.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

CLICK HERE to check for a Matter of Balance session meeting near you & to look up Master Trainers by state