Matter of Balance trainer to address Skeleton Crew

By Beth Ranagan

DEXTER — Over the past six months or so, there have been a number of articles in local newspapers about balance and falling of senior adults. We have learned from local leaders about specific exercise programs such as Senior-cise, offered at Millside Fitness, Bone Builders, offered at the Cambridge town hall, Tai Chi, offered at Millside Fitness, and Qui Gong, offered at the Center Theater.

There is another program offered by Dodie Curtis in Guilford at Community Fitness. It is A Matter of Balance. It not only promotes exercise to increase strength, flexibility and balance, but teaches seniors how to change their environment to reduce fall-risk factors, to set realistic goals for increasing activity, and view falls and fear of falling as controllable. Curtis, A Matter of Balance Master Trainer, will speak at the Skeleton Crew’s Friday, Jan. 8 meeting at 12 noon in Dexter at the Abbott Memorial Library.

Dodie Curtis

A Matter of Balance is a nationally recognized, award-winning program developed at Boston University. Eight, small-group sessions are two hours in length led by a trained facilitator. Sessions include lecture, discussion, and some especially designed exercises. A trainer can be any age, but class members must be 60 or older, ambulatory, and be able to problem-solve.

Social and cognitive factors that affect fear of falling as well as physical aspects are considered. After all, we need to remain physically fit enough to maintain social and cognitive abilities for independence.

Curtis’s professional background as an RN makes her particularly capable to teach A Matter of Balance. Following her retirement, she looked for a way to give back to her community by teaching the program and has been doing so since 2007. Quarterly teleconferences help to keep all trainers’ skills up-to-date. Dodie reports, “You are never too old to do something,” with respect to exercise.

Although the program is usually taught in Guilford, Curtis said, “I will take the show on the road to where the people who need it are.”

If you are interested in becoming a part of A Matter of Balance’s program, you can call Community Fitness (876-4813) where your call can be referred to her, or come to the Skeleton Crew’s meeting Jan. 8 (924-7292) to meet her and find out more.

The Skeleton Crew is dedicated to the education and support of those with bone health issues.