What if the key to senior fall prevention was a simple balance test?
This is the premise underlying Atria’s Better Balance Program. Developed in collaboration with Zibrio – a balance diagnostics company – this research-based program aims to reduce fall risks and improve balance and mobility for Atria residents.
“Since starting the Better Balance Program, I’ve gotten more confident in my ability to get from place to place without shuffling my feet or stopping all the time to regroup,” says Nancy W., a resident at Atria Del Sol in Mission Viejo, CA. “And the exercises are really fun to do with other people.”
Maintaining and improving balance is crucial for senior health, as it directly impacts the ability to live independently and safely. As we age, our muscle strength, joint flexibility and coordination tend to decline, making everyday activities more challenging and increasing the risk of falls. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury for older adults, often resulting in fractures, hospitalization and a reduced quality of life. By focusing on exercises for senior fall prevention and lifestyle strategies that maintain and improve balance, older adults can minimize the risk of falls and move through their daily routines with greater confidence.
The Better Balance Program represents a new level of senior fall prevention that targets multiple risk factors – and it is already having a tangible positive impact on the daily lives of Atria residents.
How the Better Balance Program Works
Zibrio’s senior fall prevention strategy is built around its Six Pillars of Balance model, which focuses on lifestyle factors that affect balance: fitness, medical conditions, medications, mood, sleep and strength.
At the core of Atria’s Better Balance Program is the Zibrio stability scale, which assesses an individual’s balance by measuring movements of the body while standing for 60 seconds. The scale provides a balance score that helps identify potential issues and highlights the risk of falling, giving older adults a baseline for monitoring their progress and making adjustments to their fitness routines.
Once a score has been determined, Atria residents can use the Zibrio app to discover the best techniques to improve their balance. On-site EmpowerMe physical therapy sessions and Atria’s targeted fitness classes also help residents develop a regimen tailored to areas that can strengthen their stability, using exercises like yoga, tai chi and strength training.
The Zibrio app also provides ongoing education about other factors that influence balance, including sleep, nutrition, mood and medical conditions. This personalized, data-driven strategy empowers residents to actively work to improve their stability and reduce the risk of falls.
The results speak for themselves. In just the first two months since the Better Balance Program was launched in four Atria communities, 92% of participants improved or maintained their balance scores. In those same two months, 13% of residents shifted to a lower fall risk category.
“The Better Balance Program quickly increased my awareness of the connection between my body and my balance,” says Atria Del Sol resident Judy O. “I never realized my balance could fluctuate, but now I’m able to stay more focused and aware while standing or walking.”
With four Orange County, CA, communities – Atria Del Sol, Atria Newport Plaza, Atria San Juan and Atria Golden Creek – already benefiting from the Better Balance Program, Atria looks forward to expanding the program to more communities in the near future.
Better Balance Means Better Senior Fall Prevention
Atria prioritizes fall prevention and balance exercises for seniors as essential components to overall health and well-being. The Better Balance Program provides residents with a comprehensive, results-based regimen that helps them maintain independence by improving balance and mobility.
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