Individuals who are afraid of falling can become more confident through an upcoming workshop.
Between October 30 and November 21, the Prince William Area Agency on Aging will run a free “Matter of Balance” program.
Held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Road in Manassas, it’s scheduled from 10 a.m. to Noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Officials are also hosting the workshop at the Manassas Senior Center, 9320 Mosby Street, November 14 to December 17. The second program is taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Participants will be taught how they can be more self-assured about walking on stairs and land that isn’t even, according to Area Agency Evidence-Based Programs Coordinator Jodie Houser.
“We challenge that fear of falling, and we teach people to stop and think about what they’re fearful of,” Houser said in a release. “We compare it to a red light mentality where it’s something like ‘Don’t do it, don’t do it, you’re going to fall;’ and we try to change that behavior to more of a yellow light mentality.”
Additional exercise, avoiding step ladders and increasing lighting are a few ways community members can conquer their fear.
If an individual decreases the amount of exercise they receive, it can increase the likelihood of them falling.
The workshop will also teach attendees hip, back and ankle exercises, and how they can get up after falling.
Community members who would like to register for the workshop may contact Houser by calling 571-241-3925 or emailing jhouser@pwcgov.org.
