Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America, Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the group:

CALL TO ORDER

Dan Martin called the meeting to order at 1:34pm. This meeting was held via Zoom Videoconference.

IN ATTENDANCE

The Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group Members in attendance were Dan Martin / Village of New Lenox, Laura Regis, Linda Bunting, Diannaha Thompson / CNNSSA Meals on Wheels, Gloria Bodnar, Amy Maher / New Lenox Community Park District, Colette Loecke, Sarah Zayyad, PT, DPT, CMPT Rush Physical Therapy and Magdalena Campos / Joliet Township Government and HERO Intern.

APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 MEETING MINUTES

The Minutes of the September 11, 2024, Task Group Meeting, which had been disseminated via email to Task Group Members, were discussed. Gloria Bodnar made a motion to approve the Minutes, Colette Loecke seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion carried and the Minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

New Lenox Safe Community Coalition (NEW) Logo

The new logo is available and will be used going forward.

“One Fall Can Change It All”

This event was held at the New Lenox VFW on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 8:30am to 11:30am. There were 23 organizations that staffed informational tables during the event.

Meals on Wheels sponsored breakfast and did a magnificent job serving hot breakfasts to those in attendance. Well done!

In addition to Meals on Wheels, breakfast sponsors were the Village of New Lenox, Dryer Vent Wizard of Will County, the New Lenox Public Library, Lori Gibson / Home for Life Advantage and Merit Medicaid Consultant (Huck Bouma).

Special thanks to Bill Bunting for making the stands that held the signs for Balance Screening, Foot Screening and Vaccinations. The signs themselves were made by New Lenox Public Works. The visibility of these signs was greatly improved.

At 9:30am, Jameka Muhammad, Anointed Hands Physical Therapy, gave an excellent presentation on Stretching for Older Adults. At 11:00am, Scott Pyles, Assistant State’s Attorney, Civil Division, Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, gave a terrific presentation on frauds and scams.

Christina Rona provided entertainment throughout the event. Christina sang lots of Motown and oldies that everyone recognized and appreciated. There was some discussion about those in attendance not being able to carry on a conversation because the music was too loud.

The raffle prizes were a big hit, and we believe most of the participating organizations donated a raffle prize.

At the post event meeting, a suggestion was made to shorten the duration of the event from three and a half hours to two and a half or three hours, and to have two twenty-minute presentations. The first at 9:00 am, followed by a raffle or two, and the second at 9:35 am. The event was well attended. It is unknown if changing the day from Thursday to Wednesday had any effect on attendance.

“A Matter of Balance”

MOB Class #54 began on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class was held on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am. Eleven seniors graduated on October 2, 2024, and the class evaluations were very positive. Dan Martin and Gloria Bodnar coached this class.

MOB Class #55 began on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the New Lenox Public Library. This class was held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am. Eleven seniors graduated on October 31, 2024, and the class evaluations were very positive. Linda Bunting and Kathy Beaudry coached this class and were assisted by Gloria Bodnar and Colette Loecke.

NEW BUSINESS

The 2025 New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting Schedule (Task Groups, Coalition and Steering Committee)

The calendar has been published and made available to all Coalition members. Dan asked that everyone PLEASE mark the Task Group and Coalition Meetings on their calendars. Dan mentioned the importance of attending the Coalition Meetings, in addition to the Task Group Meetings.

“A Matter of Balance” Master Trainer Class

Gloria Bodnar completed a 4-day “A Matter of Balance” Master Trainer Class, which was held on November 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. Congratulations and special thanks to Gloria for completing the class. Laura Regis, Linda Bunting and Gloria Bodnar are MOB Master Trainers.

“A Matter of Balance” Coach Refresher Training

Our annual training for MOB Coaches is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 9:30am to 12:00pm with a luncheon immediately following. This class will be held in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

“A Matter of Balance” NEW Coach Class

A MOB NEW Coach Class is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 11 and 12, 2024, from 1:00pm to 4:30pm in the conference room on the lower level of the Village Hall. Dan Martin will be checking with Dani Madon and Karen McHale to see if they are interested in taking the class. The class was also offered to Amy Maher / New Lenox Community Park District and Sarah Zayyad / Rush Physical Therapy. Laura Regis, Linda Bunting and Gloria Bodnar will instruct this class.

“A Matter of Balance” Class #_______ Spring, 2025

The Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall has been reserved on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am in April. The first class would meet on Monday, April 7th and the last class would meet on Wednesday, April 30th.

“Fit and Strong!” Class #11

TENTATIVELY, “Fit and Strong!” Class #11 will be held at the Spencer Campus in the Summer of 2025. The class will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am to 11:00am. The first class would be held on Monday, June 2nd and the last class would be Friday, July 25th.

“Seniors With Sole”

TENTATIVELY, “Seniors With Sole” will be held in the New Lenox Commons in the Summer of 2025. The program will meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am. The first session would be held on Tuesday, June 3rd and the last session would be held on Thursday, July 24th.

“A Matter of Balance” Class #______ Fall, 2025

The Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall has been reserved on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am in October. The first class would meet on Monday, October 6th and the last class would meet on Wednesday, October 29th.

GOOD OF THE ORDER / UPDATES

Darlene Purler

Darlene has resigned from the Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group and will no longer instruct classes. Darlene did an amazing job for many years, and we wish her all the best. Darlene will be missed!

Appreciation Luncheon

For those that have contributed to this group in 2024, we would like to hold an appreciation luncheon in your honor. Let’s plan on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 / 12:00pm in the Community Room at the Village Hall. Something nice will be catered for lunch. PLEASE LET DAN MARTIN KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND!

New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Guest Speaker / November 20, 2024 Waiting for confirmation from Lori Gibson, Home for Life Advantage, that she will be the Guest Speaker for the November 20, 2024, New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting.

NEXT MEETING DATE

The New Lenox Safe Community Coalition meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, via Zoom videoconference.

The next Task Group meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 1:30pm, via Zoom videoconference.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:29pm.

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/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11122024-257