Senior health

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death for seniors. Many falls are unpreventable accidents, but others can be prevented through regular exercise. That's why we offer several classes designed to improve your balance, flexibility and strength.

In addition to preventing falls, the exercises you'll complete in these classes can help you manage pain and reduce the likelihood of being injured.

Tai Chi is recommended for senior health and fall prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. Tai Chi features low-impact, slow-motion, mind-body exercises. It combines breathing and controlled movements to strengthen muscles, loosen joints and prevent falls.

We offer 45-minute beginning, intermediate and advanced Tai Chi classes every week. These classes are gentle enough for everyone, and no prior experience is necessary.

A Matter of Balance is a fall prevention program designed to reduce your risk of falls and increase your activity levels. This structured, group intervention program consists of eight two-hour classes and includes group discussions, problem solving, skill building, assertiveness training, educational videos, sharing practical solutions and exercise.

This program is good for seniors who:

• Are concerned about falls
• Have fallen in the past
• Limit their activities because of concerns about falling
• Are interested in improving their flexibility, balance and strength
• Are ambulatory

Our fun, 45-minute chair exercise classes are safe and gentle enough for everyone. The program consists of chair and standing exercises, which can be modified for all abilities and levels. Classes are designed to achieve:

• Better balance
• Straighter posture
• A stronger body

Our 45-minute stability ball exercise classes use a variety of equipment to stretch and strengthen muscles. Depending on your comfort level and balance, you can use a stability ball (with or without a base) or a chair. Exercise bands may be used for added resistance.

Training with a stability ball exercises all major muscle groups, increases or restores your flexibility and improves your:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Endurance
• Muscle strength and tone
• Posture
• Spinal stability
• Core strength

The Center for Living Well is a 2,600-square-foot facility located across the street from Medical City Plano's main hospital. The Center's address is:

3900 West 15th St., Ste. 104 Plano, TX 75075