The most recent 'A Matter of Balance' class graduated last Monday. A new class begins Sept 23 in White Rock. Call 505.672.2034 to register. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Certified AMOB Trainer
Starting Monday, Sept. 23 a new session of "A Matter of Balance" will take place at the White Rock Senior Center. Members of Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) age 60 and older are welcome to register for free.
If interested in taking the class but not a member of the Senior Activity Centers, please call 505.662.7957. Membership is free for anyone age 60 and older.
A Matter of Balance is an evidenced-based program, with low impact exercises that are easily implemented into any daily routine. The other crux of the program is changing one's mindset about falling and the fears that surround it. While falling often comes across as something that just happens as we get older, there are simple things we can do to decrease those chances.
One component of the program is a guest speaker who works in the physical therapy field. Their wisdom includes insight into education, technology, and best practices for fall prevention. The guest presenter will also walk students through the many aspects of what to do if they fall. They address several ways on how to get back up, and especially what not to do as well.
The most recent guest speaker was Glenn Banks of Christus St. Vincent Sports Medicine. Banks' more than 25 years of experience allows him the ability to relate to the students. His knowledge and community connections are impressive, as he often knows people in the class and has helped them or their friends and family. He is quick to praise many of the other physical therapists in town for their skill and services. He values the small group of highly skilled practitioners in the community that help residents of all ages.
The next program is taught by Kate Cleveland, a local nutrition coach from the Kiss Your Food Community, as well as retired Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Judy Lovejoy. The team was trained by Maine Health in June of 2023 as Certified Master Trainers for A Matter of Balance. The team has been teaching since that time and will offer their eighth class this month.
The course is offered in eight sessions of two-hour time periods. The sessions starting Sept. 23 will take place 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. It is imperative for students to attend all eight sessions as a lot of information is shared during that time. A binder is created for students that contains information on all topic areas, demonstrates the exercises to incorporate and various tools to evaluate topics on their own and some scenarios they may not have considered before. Each class has snacks available to keep students and instructors focused and energized.
Sign up or ask additional questions by calling the White Rock Senior Activity Center at 505.672.2034. There is space for only 12 students, so if interested be sure to sign up! Find the A Matter of Balance program listed on the National Coalition of Aging website at www.ncoa.org.
The Los Alamos Senior Activity Centers offer classes, workshops, transportation, meals and much more for older adults in Los Alamos. The Betty Ehart and White Rock Centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Learn more at www.larso.org.