CLEARFIELD – Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging supports the state Department of Aging’s mission of promoting “healthier lifestyles among older Pennsylvanians” to improve their “quality of life,” and ultimately, reduce overall healthcare costs.
The agency’s goal is to empower older adults with knowledge and direction to age and live well, by providing research-based programs within the Clearfield County community.
Its Health and Wellness Programs seek to promote healthier lifestyles for people aged 60 and older.
Recently seniors from the Coalport Center for Active Living graduated from the agency’s A Matter of Balance class.
A Matter of Balance is specifically-designed to reduce the fear of falling while improving activity levels among Clearfield County older adults.
The program includes eight, two-hour classes presented to a small group of 8-12 participants led by trained coach, Connie Harris.
The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance.
The curriculum includes group discussions, mutual problem solving, role-play activities, exercise training, assertiveness training and a few homework assignments.
Participants learn about the importance of exercise in preventing falls and practice exercises to improve strength, coordination and balance.
Participants also conduct a home safety evaluation and learn to get up and down safely.
Additional topics include home safety, assertiveness, developing positive strategies for change, reducing barriers to exercise, identifying physical risk factors for falls, personal action planners, recognizing misconceptions about falls, and moving from self-defeating to self-motivating thoughts.
“A Matter of Balance was helpful. It made me aware of what can be done to ensure safety at home. The class provided a time to meet and discuss concerns with others. I wish we had even more exercise activities at each class. [It was] great to share and learn,” shared one participant.
Health and Wellness Programs Offered
Other Health & Wellness programs offered include: Chronic Disease Self-Management, Diabetes Self-Management, Chronic Pain Self-Management, Healthy Steps for Older Adults, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Bingocize, Wellness Initiative for Senior Education, Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program and Healthy Ideas.
Participation in these programs can lead to a measurable improvement in quality of life and may even reduce overall healthcare costs.
The goals of these programs are to:
- abolish the myth that inevitable functional decline comes with age.
- empower older adults with the information needed to age well.
- support older adults in making lifestyle changes to improve overall health.
- reduce the utilization of the healthcare system.
There are a variety of evidence-based programs that assist older adults in self-managing:
- Chronic conditions (diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain, etc.)
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Mental health
- Injury and disease prevention
Contact Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging with questions or for more details about Health & Wellness information at 814-765-2696.
