During Falls Prevention Week, Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) is encouraging people to take advantage of a free workshop aimed to make people more aware — and in control — of falls.
RCBC’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is offering A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls workshop thanks to a grant from the N.J. Division of Human Services. RSVP has provided this program to 100 people in 7 sessions since spring 2016.
“As we grow older, it is increasingly important to understand the simple steps we all can take to continue to lead healthy and active lives,” said Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien. “The last thing anyone wants is something as preventable as a fall to prohibit us from doing what we enjoy. This is a tremendous program that all residents can benefit from.”
Every year in the U.S. more than one-third of adults 65 and older have a fall and approximately one-third of those sustain an injury.
“A Matter of Balance is an excellent program for educating anyone concerned about falling. There’s no better time than Falls Prevention Week, which is Sept. 22 through Sept. 28,” said Anna Payanzo Cotton, Vice President of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning. “Participants are encouraged to share what they’ve learned with others. The program is always looking for volunteers and trainers to instruct others.”
A Matter of Balance program is an eight-week session designed to manage concerns about falling. During these workshops attendees will learn to:
— View falls as controllable.
— Set goals for increasing activity.
— Make changes to reduce fall risks at home.
— Exercise to increase strength and balance.
For more information or to register for a workshop contact Brenda Paulson at (609) 894–9311 ext. 1487 or [email protected]. For more information about RSVP of Burlington County, visit rcbc.edu/rsvp.
