Powerful Tools for Caregivers is based on the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Dr. Kate Lorig and her colleagues at Stanford University. The class provides caregivers a way to develop several self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, and communicate needs to family members and healthcare providers in six weekly classes. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program significantly improves self-care behaviors, management of emotions, self-efficacy, and use of community resources. It is a nationally recognized program and has met the highest level of criteria for evidence-based programs.

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Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is a group program that focuses on improving functional ability, such as balance and physical function, to reduce fall-related risks and frequency. The program is led by Kathy Erickson, RN, BSN, our Home and Community Options Manager. She was trained by Master Trainer Suman Barkhas, one of the developers of the program at the Oregon Research Institute.

Barkhas, born in Mongolia, started learning Tai Chi and Yoga early in life. He traveled through China learning more forms of tai chi and qigong, training as a yogi monk at an ashram in India, and serving in locations from southeast Asia to northern Europe and Scandinavia. He moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 2001 and joined the Oregon Research Institute.

The current program that focuses on 8 core moves derived from the 24 Yang style Tai Chi, was developed at ORI by Dr. Fuzhong Li and fellow researchers. It has been tested and demonstrated effective in decreasing the number of falls, the risk of falling, and fear of falling, and improving functional balance and physical performance among persons aged 70 and older.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) recognize the program as one of many evidence-based interventions for the prevention of falls.

The moves are slow, gentle movements that help participants focus on balance and reduce stress. It has been called meditation in motion. The class can be adapted to also benefit those who prefer to sit or who are confined to a wheelchair. The benefits to range of motion and one’s cardiopulmonary system will be noticed whether sitting or performing the gentle weight-transferring steps.

Please see our Events Page for upcoming classes or contact our office at 402-223-1376 for more information.

Stepping On is a community-based falls prevention program aimed at educating participants and building confidence to reduce or eliminate falls. Anyone who is age 60 and over, and has had a fall in the past year or is fearful of falling would benefit from Stepping On. Stepping On is a 7-week workshop that covers basic balance and strength exercises, discussions about medications that may increase fall risk, and lessons on how to move about safely identifying hazards around the home and community. For more information about Stepping On please visit our Stepping On page.