Falls Prevention Programs

Offered through the Illinois Pathways to Health Initiative, the Fall Prevention programs help people feel stronger, improve their balance, and reduce their fear of falling. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, how to build strength, and ways to modify their environment to reduce the risk of falls.

Fall Prevention workshop times and duration vary. Workshops are interactive, small group sessions. Workshops are offered in person or virtually on Zoom.

Find the Best Workshop for You

Workshops form in communities throughout the year. If you or your caregiver are interested in attending a workshop, please click the link under the program that meets your need. Go to the Illinois Pathways to Health “Find Classes” page to register for a currently scheduled program.

A Matter of Balance

Designed for older adults to manage falls and increase activity levels. Two trained coaches guide participants through learning and activities that emphasize strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants show improved balance, flexibility, and strength while viewing falls as controllable.

In person workshops meet once OR twice a week for eight, 2-hour sessions. Virtual workshops meet for nine sessions. (The first session provides instruction on how to utilize a virtual platform.)

A Matter of Balance Programs

Bingocize

Designed for sedentary adults at all ability levels. Bingocize® combines a bingo-like game with exercise and health education. The program has been shown to increase older adults’ functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement.

Participants play Bingocize® for one hour 2 times per week for 10 weeks.

Bingocize Programs

Fit and Strong!

Designed for sedentary older adults who are experiencing lower extremity joint pain, stiffness, and other mobility issues. The program uses flexibility and strength training, aerobic walking, and health education to promote behavior change in people with osteoarthritis.

Classes meet two or three times per week for 90 minutes for a total of 24 class sessions.

Fit and Strong Programs

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention

Designed for older adults with or without arthritis, rheumatic disease or related musculoskeletal conditions. The program is also appropriate for adults with mild, moderate, and severe joint involvement and back pain, and those without arthritis who may have a higher risk of falling.

Tai Chi is an enjoyable exercise that can improve balance, relieve pain, and improve health and ability to do things. It is a slow, easy to learn exercise good for all ability levels. The essential principles of Tai Chi include mind and body integration, fluid movements, controlled breathing, and mental concentration. Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises for the health of mind and body. It helps people to relax and feel better.

Classes meet for 1 hour per week for 16 weeks OR twice per week for 8 weeks.

Tai Chi Programs

Walk With Ease

Designed for adults with arthritis who want to be more physically active. The program is also appropriate for people without arthritis, particularly those with diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions who want to become more active.

Demonstrated to reduce pain, increase balance and strength, and improve overall health, the program will help motivate you to get in great shape and allow you to walk safely and comfortably.

Sessions meet for 1 hour 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The program is offered as a self-guided course or in a community setting. Choose the format that best suits you.

Walk With Ease Programs

For more information

Call AgeOptions at (800) 699-9043 or email info@ilpathwaystohealth.org