October 19, 2007

Striking a balance
Classes offer seniors prone to falls the chance to improve their balance and mobility.
Photos and story by Ana Venegas
The Orange County Register

"I had a stroke four years ago. In those four years since, I have fallen four or five times," Garden Grove octogenarian Barbara Sulzbach says during a break in her balance and mobility class at Acacia Senior Day Services in Garden Grove.

"You never forget when you fall, and you hope it never happens again," the 85-year-old says.

In what looks like a romper room, seniors make their way over obstacles, perform what looks like a sobriety test, and learn strategies to roll over and get off the floor. Thera-Band exercises aid in core strength development.

This collection of exercises, designed by Dr. Debra J. Rose at the Cal State Fullerton Center for Successful Aging, is a 16-week course teaching seniors how to improve their awareness, balance and mobility and work through any physical limitations.

The end result is increased confidence in their abilities and better reaction to falls.

"About 1.8 million seniors suffer falls yearly," class instructor Kenny Yu says. "About 14,000 seniors will die directly from a fall yearly," the balance and mobility specialist explains. "This is preventable."

The class originated to help active seniors but for the first time, seniors with much more limited ability, such as sufferers of severe arthritis, partial paralysis or stroke, applied the techniques.

Theresa Messer, 77, of Garden Grove experienced dramatic improvement.

"I used to fall quite a bit when I first had my stroke," she says. "I haven't fallen anymore, though. This class really helps a lot."

Sulzbach is also pleased with the class. "I was glad to hear about this. I haven't needed it yet, but I think it's good insurance (to prevent a fall)," she says.

Additional information on balance and mobility classes can be found at www.hhd.fullerton.edu/csa/community_outreach.htm.

Ongoing classes are offered through Garden Grove Adult Education at Lincoln Education Center, 714-663-6291