Interview: Diane Ross talks stability classes offered for senior citizens at Boonville VFW

BOONVILLE- Over 3-million emergency department visits were recorded in 2020 for elderly falls. That's according to the CDC.

In addition, falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group.

Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent, but fortunately there are ways to help decrease likelihood of falling and receiving serious in jury.

"I want people to feel better and feel more confident in their home life and not be falling and ending up in the nursing home or ending up in hospice care," said Diane Ross. 

She is a certified instructor for 'Silver Sneakers,' an organization promoting health and wellness classes, including for the elderly. Ross is inviting members of the senior citizens community to consider joining-in on a series of classes shes leading the rest of this winter and into spring.    

"You do what you can do. There is no pressure to do more than what you are capable of doing. It is chair assisted." 

Listen to our latest on-air coverage for more details:

These classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. through the end of March at the Boonville VFW, 108 Park Ave.

The classes focus on strength and stability, with aims of providing tools and exercises for elderly members of the community to utilize and hopefully reduce risks of falling. 

For more information, including a list of classes, be sure to visit Silver Sneakers online.

Image via Silver Sneakers.