What: Initiative
Organization Name: Falls Free Dane coalition led by Safe Communities
Where: Dane County, WI
Description: The Balance Stamp of Approval (BSOA) was created in 2019 to make it easier to quickly find classes and activities that are good for improving balance! When you see the logo/BSOA symbol you know the activity has been screened and judged according to the most recent research—what we call the “Keys to Better Balance”– that it has what it takes to practice better balance!
Falls Free Dane (FFD) is a coalition of community partners led by Safe Communities. It builds partnerships with people and organizations, collaborating to reduce older adult injury and complications from falls. In its aim to be a catalyst to increase falls preparedness and resiliency. In 2018, the Balance Keys Committee began the work that resulted in the BSOA process and award.
Their task: Discover how to inspire people to continue the good work they had done after attending an evidence-based falls reduction course, Stepping On. People had become aware of falls risks, begun to feel more confident in moving about their lives, and were doing daily exercises. How could they continue?
The committee looked at various classes and activities that people might do in the community or on their own. They found the latest research studies that showed what key actions and guidelines—dubbed the “Keys to Better Balance”–need to be part of an activity to make it good for balance (with the hope of reducing injury and complications from falls). Tada! The BSOA was born!
Now, FFD partners with students from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Madison College to help screen various activities and classes all around Dane County to see which already include the Keys to Better Balance, and how they can help instructors and others include them in their classes and lessons. Classes that fit get the award, and are regularly re-evaluated.
Check out the many kinds of classes that have been given the BSOA. From tai chi to circus arts, racquet sports, dance, fitness classes and beyond…you have choices for how you can improve your balance and be more confident and resilient moving about the world.
Did you know that fear is a leading risk for a fall? It’s true. Research tells us. And now you know that you can increase your confidence and reduce that fear by participating in an activity that suits you!
Major Project Activities: The Balance Keys Committee evaluates community-based classes of all kinds and using criteria based on extensive research, awards classes that include the criteria with the “Balance Stamp of Approval”. These classes are updated on the Safe Communities website regularly. Classes that have been awarded are able to use the BSOA logo in any of their own promotional materials, newsletters, email signatures, websites, etc. as a way to let community members and others know that particular classes can improve balance and increase falls resiliency. Classes are continuously evaluated by Balance Keys Committee members.
Resources:
Questions? Contact Ashley Hillman at ahillman@safecommunities.org
