Blogs

By Michelle Rogers, Camarillo Health Care District Community Outreach and Education Manager

Joe was a marathon runner and enjoyed a healthy lifestyle. Following a diagnosis of a heart condition, he found himself becoming inactive at the age of 83. So, he signed up for the Camarillo Health Care District’s “Activate” program, which includes BALANCEfit and POWERfit, as well as other Fall Prevention classes, and started a new exercise regimen to reduce his risk of falls. Now he feels more confident when walking and navigating spaces, increasing his activity, and working to reduce fall probability.

Falls are a threat to health, and especially for older adults, and can reduce the ability to remain independent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 adults age 65+ fall every year, resulting in 3 million admissions to ER, and falls are the No. 1 cause death from injury among older adults.

BALANCEfit and POWERfit are categorized under the district’s health and wellness programs, specifically Fall Prevention. After recognizing a need in the community and receiving feedback from clients about their interest in fall prevention programming, the district purchased a Senso balance machine, a scientifically validated training system for cognitive motor training, and created a unique BALANCEfit program in October 2021, designed to help individuals improve cognition and reduce risk of falling by having participants complete dual-tasking exercises.

In Fall of 2023, the district additionally developed a companion program called POWERfit, available for graduates of BALANCEfit to build their progress.  This “two-step” program guides and motivates participants to achieve their goals, build confidence, increase daily activity levels, and improve physical and mental capacities.

“Goals of both programs are to encourage adults to become physically active and reduce their risk of falls by working on their cognitive and motor activities,” said Blair Barker, the district’s Program Officer.

BALANCEfit focuses on reducing fall risks and improving cognition while progressing participants through a series of games that get more complex and challenging as they move through the levels. The games focus on cognitive and physical skills, some of which may be second nature, and some of which might be more challenging, especially for those with a cognitive impairment.

The games are easy to learn and follow and enhance motor-skill learning while having fun. The device tracks performance and makes the games more challenging as you get better at them. An assessment evaluates physical and cognitive function, including reaction time, ability to take in information, ability to process, and ability to then do the requested activity. It aims to improve reaction time, attention and processing, short-term memory, balance control, and cognitive and physical flexibility.

POWERfit includes the balance machine and its benefits, while also incorporating strength training to reduce such fall-risk factors as reduced muscle strength, gait and balance disorders, fear of falling and isolation. These risk factors are addressed by incorporating strength and balance exercises, increasing socialization, and educating participants on cognitive and motor skills to improve mind-body connection.

“With these companion programs, the emphasis on ‘thinking before moving’ is meant to address the actions of everyday routine,” said the district’s Fall Prevention Coordinator, Elsa Sierra. “The program aims to increase participants’ confidence and shift their attitudes and mindset from ‘falling is just part of getting older’ to an outlook on modifiable life factors.”

Studies have shown that dual-tasking exercise, which includes both motor and cognitive skills, is more beneficial in improving executive function than exercising those functions separately. Executive function is used in everyday activities with our actions, processing, and planning. Therefore, improving executive function can help in reducing the risk of falls, which is a major public health concern in older adults.

Participants work one-on-one with a facilitator and receive individualized attention and education. After the POWERfit program, participants receive a set of resistance bands and illustrations of the exercises that were performed in the program, allowing them to continue improving and maintaining range of motion and strength, both of which are essential to preventing falls and injuries from falls. Participants are also encouraged to participate in other fall prevention classes, such as Tai Chi for Arthritis, Matter of Balance, Bingocize and Walking Group, to continue staying active and increase socialization.

As of June 2023, more than 250 individuals have completed BALANCEfit, POWERfit or both programs. There has been a noticeable increase in enrollment for other fall prevention classes offered by the district as a result of referrals from BALANCEfit and POWERfit completers.

As a result of their impressive efforts, Camarillo Health Care District is the winner of the 2024 CSDA Award for Innovative Program of the Year by a Small District.