Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America, Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group met May 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the group:
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Anna Schultz called the meeting to order at approximately 1:35pm on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. This meeting was held via Zoom videoconference.
IN ATTENDANCE
The Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group Members in attendance were Dan Martin, Anna Schultz, Linda Bunting, Colette Loecke, Darlene Purler, Gloria Bodnar, Lori Gibson, Judy Butler, Amy Maher and Laura Regis.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 15, 2023 MEETING MINUTES
The Minutes of the March 15, 2023 Task Group Meeting, which had been disseminated via email to Task Group Members, were discussed. Gloria Bodnar made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Darlene Purler. After no further discussion, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lynn Kaveney has resigned as a MOB Coach. Anna noted that a couple attendees of MOB Class #48 expressed interest in becoming NEW Coaches, which is promising.
OLD BUSINESS
“A Matter of Balance”
“A Matter of Balance” Class #48 graduated 15 participants on May 10, 2023 in the New Lenox Village Hall Community Room. The class was held on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30am to 11:30am, from April 17, 2023 thru May 10, 2023. The class was coached by Anna Schultz, Colette Loecke and Gloria Bodnar. Dan Martin was present to hand out certificates, congratulate the participants and thank the volunteer Coaches.
“A Matter of Balance” Class #49 is currently being held at the VFW #9545 on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 11:00am from May 1, 2023 thru May 25, 2023. There is a roster of 14 participants. The class is being coached by Laura Regis and Judy Butler.
MOB Class #50 has been scheduled in the New Lenox Village Hall Community Room from September 12, 2023 thru October 5, 2023 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 11:30am (meeting on Wednesday, 9/20 instead of Thursday, 9/21 due to “One Fall Could Change It All” on 9/21). Linda Bunting and Darlene Purler volunteered to be Coaches for Class #50. Anna Schultz advised that she wanted to participate in this milestone class as well.
The New Lenox Public Library and New Lenox Horizon Senior Living facility are being considered as sites for October MOB classes.
Colette Loecke advised that she would Coach the class at the library (Class #51). Gloria Bodnar advised that she would Coach Class #51 with Colette as well. Colette will check the schedule at the library and shoot for a Monday / Wednesday class (mornings) starting in late September / early October.
If there is a class held at New Lenox Horizon (Class #52), Anna Schultz said she would be one of the Coaches. A desired starting date would be mid-October to ensure it ended before Thanksgiving. This will be discussed in greater detail at the July Task Group Meeting.
“Fit and Strong! Class #9
The Spencer Campus has been secured by Dan Martin for the summer of 2023 Fit and Strong program. The 8-week program is scheduled from June 5, 2023 thru July 28, 2023 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30am to 11:00am.
During the meeting a schedule of instructors completed as follows:
Mondays – Kathy Beaudry and Colette Loecke
Wednesdays – Laura Regis, Linda Bunting and Dan Martin
Fridays – Darlene Purler, Anna Schultz and Gloria Bodnar
With this said, there were some instructors who advised that their intent is to be there all three days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). During the meeting, instructors noted which days they would not be available, which was noted in RED on the schedule. Monday, June 19th (Session 7) was also blocked out per New Lenox School District #122 for the Juneteenth holiday. The lecture for Session 7 will be done on Friday, June 16th along with Session 6.
Judy Butler inquired how to become a Fit and Strong! Instructor. Linda Bunting, Anna Schultz and Colette Loecke explained how the “virtual” training was structured. Judy Butler expressed an interest in becoming a coach for next year (2024 – Class #10). Dan invited Judy to come out this summer and participate if she would like to.
Linda Bunting expressed interest in taking a look at the evaluations from last year’s class. Dan advised that he would make the evaluations available.
With regard to the first day of class (June 5th) Dan asked the instructors to be there by 8:30am to help set-up. Dan will let the class know to be there at 9:00am for the first day so they can get fitted for their ankle weights and complete the required paperwork.
“Seniors with Sole” Class #3
Tom and Mercy Nolan have agreed to lead the Seniors with Sole walking program for the summer of 2023. The 8-week program is scheduled from June 6, 2023 thru July 27, 2023 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 9:30am in the Village Commons. The program will follow the format from previous years. Dan encouraged everyone to attend and also noted that raffle prizes / donations are needed for the last session. If anyone has a connection with a local business that would be willing to donate a gift card for example, it would be greatly appreciated!
New Lenox Park District Outdoor Exercise Court
Amy Maher noted that the “Thursdays class from April 18, 2023 thru May 23, 2023” did not run. Amy made a suggestion to her staff to schedule next year’s class in conjunction with “Seniors with Sole” so the seniors could finish their walk and then head up to the exercise court.
On Friday, June 9, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00am there will be a free Fitness Court Demonstration. This event will include some giveaways.
Amy also said that she will come out to the first two Seniors with Sole classes (June 6th and June 8th) to provide seniors with an opportunity to see the fitness court after they complete their walks. Amy advised she would be happy to show the seniors how to use the equipment.
“One Fall Could Change It All”
“One Fall Can Change It All” will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 (during National Falls Prevention Awareness Week) at the VFW #9545 from 8:30am to 11:30am. 2023 Planning Committee members are Laura Regis (Chair), Anna Schultz, Norma Cason, Linda Bunting, Colette Loecke, Gloria Bodnar, Lori Gibson, and Meghan South. The committee met at Gatto’s Restaurant on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11:00am to begin planning.
The committee went over the list of participating organizations to determine who to invite back this year. New organizations were also considered. A final list will be completed in the near future. It was noted that it will be important for committee members to walk around to see what the organizations are offering. In year’s past, committee members have gotten busy doing other things and have not had an opportunity to visit the tables.
A discussion was also held during the committee about presenters / entertainment. One model that was discussed was to have a 10-minute presentation, a chair yoga demonstration, then another 10-minute presentation. Another option would be a physician speaker (ex. new science – oxygen therapy). Other options included a presenter that would discuss fall prevention ideas in the home and / or what to do if a senior actually fall (how to get help).
OLD BUSINESS
None
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Anna Schultz asked about protocol regarding “A Matter of Balance” Classes. This was regarding IF a student were to miss a class, could they attend another class (going on simultaneously)? Is “class hopping” allowed? Following a discussion, the short answer is NO. The decision was made to recognize the confidentiality that exists within a class and the “rule” that no one may join a class after Session 2. With this said, if it were to come in to see the session with the physical therapist, perhaps an exception could be made. So, decisions like these will be made on a case-by-case basis. And, it’s imperative that the Coaches from the other classes are informed that someone expressed an interest in attending a make-up class.
The next New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May, 31, 2023 / 10:30am, via Zoom videoconference.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting of the Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 1:30pm. This meeting will be held via Zoom Video conferencing unless otherwise advised prior to the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:27pm.
Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group
“To reduce injuries and deaths in the older adult population through the utilization of evidence-based and other programs designed to reduce falls and the fear of falling.”
https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/SafeCommunitiesAmericaTaskGroupsMinutes05-10-23104837053123AM1352.pdf
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