Healthy Living for ME, a partnership between Spectrum Generations, SeniorsPlus and and Aroostook Agency on Aging, has been awarded a three-year, $450,000 grant to expand and promote classes which focus on fall prevention for older adults.
Gerard Queally, president and CEO of lead grant applicant Spectrum Generations, which is headquartered in Augusta, said, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans, but falling is not an inevitable part of aging. These falls prevention classes are proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling and we are thrilled to be receiving this funding to continue working with our partners throughout Maine to offer the education, resources, and skills they provide.”
Fall prevention classes, like “A Matter of Balance,” emphasize practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Healthy Living for ME provides a single-point of entry to a statewide network of workshops that empower adults to address and better manage their health issues. Workshops offered focus on improving balance and preventing falls as well as those which focus on helping adults manage chronic conditions – including high blood pressure, chronic pain, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, and diabetes.
Spectrum Generations serves Kennebec, Lincoln, sagadahnc, Somerset and Waldo counties; SeniorsPlus, headquartered in Lewiston, serves Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.
A full listing of workshops available in throughout Maine and searchable by zip code, can be found online at www.healthylivingforme.org or call 1-800-620-6036 for more information.
