Starting May 24: Now enrolling Older Adults (65+) in Hampden County
Greater Springfield Senior Services (GSSSI), in collaboration with Baystate Health’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and Dartmouth Hitchcock Centers for Health & Aging, are offering a free virtual Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB) program to older adults in Hampden County.
TJQMBB is an evidence-based strength and balance building program that runs two times per week for 24-weeks. It is intended for community-dwelling older adults and people with a history of falls, balance disorders, leg muscle weakness, abnormal gait or walking difficulty. Those with a mild level of mobility difficulty (e.g., people who are occasional cane users) can be accommodated. Electronic devices and technical support are available to those who join. Currently this class is being offered in English only.
Register Now
The next class begins on May 24th, 2021. To refer a patient or sign up, please contact Heather Jolicoeur, Community Coordinator for GSSSI at 413-781-8800 ext 148.
Data shows that participants that attend class for all 24 weeks have:
- Improved balance and strength
- 58% decrease in the incidence of falls
- 67% decrease in falls in people with Parkinson’s disease
- 75% decrease in injurious falls.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
In order to expand access to this program to our Spanish speaking community members, we are seeking a bilingual volunteer interested in becoming a certified TJQMBB instructor that can dedicate two to three hours per week to teach a class. Please contact Heather if you are interested in more information.
Registration Instructions:
To refer a patient or sign up, please contact Heather Jolicoeur, Community Coordinator for GSSSI at 413-781-8800 ext 148.