Matter of Balance program graduates

OAKFIELD, Maine — On March 1, Joy Barresi Saucier, executive director for the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, presented certificates of completion to an Oakfield group who completed the Matter of Balance program at Pine Grove Terrace.

Saucier became executive director of the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging as of Oct. 1. Ken Phelps, chairman of the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors, was pleased to make that announcement. Steve Farnham retired after nearly 43 years of dedicated, distinguished service to the Agency. Marilyn Burton, of Oakfield, is actively serving on the board for southern Aroostook County.

Lottie and Earle Doughty were two members of the Matter of Balance course that recently completed a session in Oakfield. (Courtesy of Bonnie Pratt)

“I decided to try something different with this group,” said Bonnie Pratt, instructor for Matter of Balance. “Instead of a two-hour session, one day a week for eight weeks, I tried a two-hour session, two days a week for four weeks. No one in the group thought it was too much and were fine with that schedule the whole way.”

Pratt added, “Another difference in this group were the number of men who attended. Each group is unique and bring different personalities. I never grow tired of teaching Matter of Balance, making a difference for people. In each group participants are taking the classes to help themself, someone else, taking skills learned to help someone, or taking it just for the socialization.”

Matter of Balance is a class for seniors in Aroostook County. It has been proven to prevent falls, thereby decreasing the probability of a hospitalization and possibly a nursing home placement.

“In order to continue this program, our grant required that we raise $2,500 in our county for this year,” Pratt said. “All over Aroostook County, sponsors were found and walking shoes were put on. People walked in recreational centers, footpaths, river roads, treadmills, and walking trails. People partnered up and got the 2 mile walk done! It has and always will be rewarding to do your part.”

Pratt said this past winter was extremely icy, thus maintaining good balance has been more important than ever.

“Skills were definitely needed to survive this winter,” Pratt said. “No-Fall-ty habits learned in class needed to be practiced. It was a winter to wear carefully chosen footwear and cleats. Ice is melting but mud can be as slippery. Falls hurt, are expensive to a person or employer, besides being embarrassing.”

Someone who heard about the class from family was Ruth Doughty, a registered nurse, who was an asset to the class. Pratt said she used Doughty as her health care professional. “Her input and comments added so much,” Pratt said. “I recognized I needed to get her in on a coach’s training and she is willing to be my future helper.”

Coaches and helpers are needed. A training is being planned for mid-June . It will be done by Candy Easton-Gough. For more information on an early Fall group in Oakfield, contact Candy Easton-Gough at 764-6185 or Bonnie Pratt at 757-8355.