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Coming Soon: A Matter of Balance
By Gina Paglucia-Morrison, ESCCI Volunteer
Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands is pleased to announce the relaunch of one of its Healthy Aging Programs – A Matter of Balance (MOB): Managing Concerns About Falls. MOB is an evidence-based program taught by trained volunteer coaches in a community setting (e.g., town hall, council on aging or center for active living). It is designed to reduce concerns over falls, while increasing physical activity through enhancing balance, strength, and flexibility. The MOB program can lead to greater confidence and mobility and supports older adults in their desire for independence.
As a volunteer leader, I have co-taught several classes and have witnessed the transformative effects of this program including increased confidence, changes in attitude and perceptions toward falls, enhanced problem-solving skills, an increased commitment to exercise (regardless of age or physical capabilities), and more importantly, the social engagement that takes place among participants. A group of 8-12 older adults often start as quietly engaged students and over the course of 8-weeks become fast friends readily offering tips and strategies for increasing physical activity and making their home environment safer, as well as sharing ideas for fun activities on the Cape.
I was inspired to become a coach several years ago after witnessing the revolving door between hospitals and nursing homes that my late parents experienced after several falls. Once I learned about the Healthy Aging Programs offered through elder service agencies and the opportunity to lead these MOB programs, I readily signed up for training and began to teach classes. After seeing the benefits these classes can have on older adults, I truly wished these programs had been available for my parents.
As a sponsor and supporter of the MOB program, Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands (ESCCI) is offering this new volunteer opportunity. ESCCI is seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming trained program leaders. We would also like to invite any volunteers who may already be trained in this program, perhaps having taught classes in the past and would like to resume teaching after completion of a refresher course.
We provide all training, materials and ongoing coaching. The 2-hour class takes place once a week for 8-weeks and will be offered in a variety of locations on the Cape. After completion of the training program each coach is asked to teach two classes in the first year and receive ongoing coaching. If you have a passion or interest in working with older adults and in hearing more details, please contact Dawn Ericson-Taylor, Volunteer Manager, 508-258-2490, dawn.ericson-taylor@escci.org.
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