Oasis Albuquerque Helps Older Adults Prevent Fall

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March 2020 Oasis Albuquerque Helps Older Adults Prevent Falls

By Lauren Consuelo Tussing, BCBSNM

While many of the changes we experience throughout our lives are natural parts of aging, falling is not one of them. Many activities can help prevent falls, such as exercising and mitigating fall hazards in the home. Oasis Albuquerque, a nonprofit organization that promotes successful aging, is helping New Mexicans take proactive steps to decrease their risk of falling.

To support those efforts, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) awarded Oasis a $25,000 grant this year for its Fit and Free from Falls programming, which includes evidence-based health and fitness classes focusing on balance, strength, disease management and prevention, and other topics.

One popular class offered at Oasis is Tai Chi for Health. In the series, an instructor leads participants through gentle movements designed to enhance balance and decrease joint pain. A Matter of Balance, another course in the Fit and Free from Falls programming, combines discussion and exercise to help enrollees prevent falls. The outcomes of the programming have been positive for participants.

“These classes outline how they can really be active managers of their health on a day-to-day basis,” said Cynthia LaCoe-Maniaci, PhD, health and wellness coordinator at Oasis. “With our Better Balance program, we generally see increases in lower body strength, endurance and agility.” The program also helps older adults maintain or minimize declines in strength and provides an important network of peer support.

The grant, which comes from BCBSNM’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative, helps reach older adults who may not otherwise have access to this programming by allowing Oasis to provide classes at reduced or no cost. Over the years, BCBSNM has provided

Ilene Dunn leads participants in the evidence-based practice of Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance.

more than $200,000 in grants for Oasis programming to support the health and wellness of older adults in New Mexico.

“Oasis Fit and Free from Falls participants really enjoy exercising in a space where most of the people in the class are like them,” said LaCoe-Maniaci. “It’s neat to see how much they bond over their shared experiences — whether it’s fear of falling or trying to get back into exercise.”

More information about Oasis programming can be found by visiting www.oasisabq.org or calling 505-884-4529.

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