Many of us older people have a fear of falling. This is a realistic fear because as one gets older, bones become more brittle and muscles tend to ache more. Sometimes they ache for no good reason at all! Our balance also isn’t what it used to be.

Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in muscle weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends.

Some of us plan our day around the weather. I am one of those people. I can’t see well enough at night to drive after dark, and along with that I avoid any walking in the dark. Night lights are in every room in the house.

Last winter I managed to do most of my outside errands beginning at noon, when the weather was warmest and the ice had melted. Still, I managed to slip and fall on my own doorstep, the one I had covered with rock salt that very morning. Fortunately, I had enough “body padding” to protect me, but I was very lucky. Several of my friends fell in the same way and they were not as fortunate, and their accidents resulted in sprains, pains and additional fear.

For those of us who limit our activities because of the fear of falling, there’s a great program available called “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls.” The program was developed at Boston University and is designed to help reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults.

Participants in the program learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce risks and exercise to increase strength and balance.

Southern Maine Agency on Aging is offering the program at various locations this winter.

Call 396-6529 or (800) 427-7411 to register or for more information.