Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County AgriLife will be hosting A Matter of Balance, an eight-session program held every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. – noon, March 5 – April 23 at the Derrell Hall Education Center, 2505 N. Center Street in Bonham. 

If you or someone you love has experienced a fall or has a fear of falling, call the Fannin County AgriLife Extension office at (903) 583-7453 to reserve your spot. Space is limited for this program, please call or email to get on the list. This program is open to all and is free of charge.

Aging comes with a variety of unique quirks, oddities, and issues, but falling and fall-related injuries are at the top of the list of concerns. In the United States, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries.

According to a compiled list of fall-related statistics by the National Council on Aging (2023), 1 in 4 Americans over age sixty-five fall every year. Additionally, every eleven seconds someone over age sixty-five is treated in the emergency room for fall-related injuries and every nineteen minutes someone dies from a fall-related injury.

In other words, falls are responsible for more than 3 million ER visits and more than 32,000 deaths annually. The fear of falling can lead to reduced activities, physical health decline, social isolation, and depression.

Falling, fall-related injuries, and a fear of falling do not have to be a guaranteed part of aging. Falls can be avoided through lifestyle changes and participation in evidence-based fall prevention programs like A Matter of Balance.

Please join us if you are concerned about falls, have fallen in the past, have restricted your activities due to falling concerns, or have an interest in improving balance, flexibility, and strength.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Bethany Arie at 903-583-7453 x 1 or email bethany.arie@ag.tamu.edu