A course designed to alleviate fear of falling for older adults will be offered free at the Marshall Senior Center beginning Monday, January 23, 2023.

The MU Extension is offering the eight week course at the center in partnership with Care Connection for Aging Services, which operates the senior center.

The course will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays through March 13, 2023.

A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and motivate senior adults to get moving. Instructors will teach about the importance of exercise in preventing falls and how to practice exercises to improve strength, coordination and balance. The course also will address home safety.

Other topics in the course include being assertive, developing positive strategies for change, reducing barriers to exercise, identifying risk factors for falls, personal action planning, recognizing misconceptions about falls and moving from self-defeating to self-motivating thoughts. The curriculum includes group discussions, mutual problem-solving, role-playing activities and a few homework assignments.

The Marshall Senior Center is located at 14 East Morgan Street.

Anyone who would like to register can call the Marshall Senior Center at 660-886-9888, Saline County Extension Office at 660-886-6908 or Care Connection at 800-748-7826. Online registration is also available and can be done at www.goaging.org/events.