Beryl Westfall uses ankle weights to strengthen her legs.
Diane Stiles works on strengthening her arms.
Kathleen Matzel demonstrates how using appropriate weights increases strength in muscles and bones to help fight osteoporosis and increase strength.
Photos courtesy Stephanie Cooper
One in every four adults 65 or older falls each year. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall. September is National Falls Prevention Month – take action and don’t be one of the statistics by participating in local programs.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc., offer free programs throughout the county to help prevent falls.
RSVP’s volunteers lead Strong Women Bone Builders or Osteo Bone Builders exercise sessions at nine sites throughout the county in Canastota, Cazenovia, Hamilton, Morrisville, Oneida, Perryville and Peterboro.
For more information, call RSVP at 315.697.5700, email RSVP@ofamadco.org or visit ofamadco.org.
Matter of Balance courses can be scheduled as need demands. Those interested should contact the Office for the Aging at 315.697.5700.