Better Balance Initiative tackles resident falls risk at Bolton Clarke The Terraces

A tailored balance and falls prevention initiative led by exercise physiologist Charlie Gordon has helped residents at Bolton Clarke’s The Terraces, Varsity Lakes build confidence and independence.

The Better Balance Initiative by Balance Metrix is a combined balance testing and training program that aims to reduce residents’ falls risk.

Bolton Clarke Operations Manager Linda Jongeling said the program sought to reduce falls by helping residents work on strength and balance.

“We were keen to involve Charlie as an accredited exercise physiologist so he could tailor the program to resident needs and abilities,” she said.

At the outset Charlie tested 30 residents’ balance on the Balance Mat – Australian designed and made postural sway measurement technology that has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a class 1 medical device.

The computerised floor mat measures postural sway in a series of 20-second tests and gives a reading of low, medium or high.

Charlie worked with The Terraces Clinical Care Manager Maria Carrasco and an initial group of nine residents with medium postural sway results who would go on to do the weekly exercises.

Preliminary clinical assessments involved medical history reviews from GP referrals, safety screening and risk assessment, and pre-exercise vital signs.

“Testing people’s strength and mobility is important because it helps build an overall snapshot of their ability to withstand a fall,” Charlie said.

Residents took part in a 10-week program including sit-to-stand exercises, modified kettlebell deadlifts, wall push-ups, resistance band exercises, calf raises and bicep curls. Progress was beefed up each week, with exercises getting slightly harder, weights increasing and resistance bands getting stronger.

“The three original participants who completed the whole program demonstrated significant improvements across multiple functional domains including balance, functional strength and mobility,” Charlie said.

“The results demonstrated the effectiveness of structured resistance training in improving functional independence and reducing fall risk in aged care residents.”

Key results included:

• Balance performance: Two participants moved from medium to low fall risk categories on the Balance Mat, achieving 79% and 83% improvements in postural sway scores, and the other person maintained their low postural sway;

• Functional strength: One participant showed a dramatic improvement with a 46% increase in sit-to-stand performance, while all demonstrated meaningful strength gains; and

• Mobility and walking: One achieved a 39% improvement in the Timed Up & Go test and a 40% increase in gait speed, with all participants showing enhanced mobility performance.

More information about the Better Balance Initiative is on our Partners page. For a copy of the final Balance Metrix report please contact Margaret Metz at margaret@balancemetrix.com.au.

Photographs and names of Bolton Clarke The Terraces residents with Charlie Gordon used with permission – (l to r at top) Sandra McLennan, Valrae Lamb, Gwen Pentlow and Sandra McCallum.

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