CHARLOTTE, N.C. — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of people age 65 and older experience falls every year. 

 The CDC further reports that one out of five falls results in a serious injury. 

A workshop in Gaston County is teaching prevention efforts to those most vulnerable to falls. 

A Matter of Balance: Fall Prevention Workshop is sponsored by several organizations, including the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Centralina Area Agency on Aging.

Over eight weeks, people learn skills and physical exercises to reduce fall risks altogether, while also helping to improve their strength, flexibility and balance. 

Linda Minges is the family and consumer science agent for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Minges says the fall prevention event helps older populations with living a quality and fulfilling life.

“We not only show exercises, we also talk about life building skills like how to ask for help, how to communicate with your doctor, how to be assertive,” Minges said. “We’re going to all get older. Fall prevention is really one of the key factors with keeping older adults living independently. One fall can be life changing. It can completely remove your mobility. When you ask folks what they’re looking for, [the response is] being able to take care of themselves and living independently.”

Sandy Mason lives near the Mount Holly area. 

She’s credited with helping to get the workshop and other activities up and running in the area for seniors.

Sandy Mason, pictured in the white shirt, is one of the participants in A Matter of Balance workshop. She says these activities are important for seniors because it’s improving their balance. (Jennifer Roberts/Spectrum News 1)

Mason says it’s important to have workshops like A Matter of Balance in the community 

“We get people out. They need to get out and be with other people,” Mason said. “The balance situation for everybody is a serious situation, we are working on that. I feel so much better. We are getting a good workout.” 

Gwen Young, 71, is one of the workshop participants. She knows what it’s like to experience a fall. 

“I’ve fallen several times,” Young said. “I’ve had both knees replaced and back surgery. I needed something to help me feel better about going places and doing things, not being scared or cautious. It is always a challenge when you have some limitations and you don’t want to hold up the crowd and you still want to go. “

Young says this event is helping her to live life to the fullest, without fear of falls.

“It’s taking me from a situation that may be a scary one and bringing it down to another level, where I can think about what I can do differently to make that situation better for me,” Young said.

Young says this workshop is building her confidence with going places without a fear of falling. 

“If you’re afraid to go out, what kind of quality of life are you going to have if you’re not going to go out and do things with your friends or do things on your own,” Young said. “You only got so many days on this earth you don’t want to spend it in the house.” 

Minges says A Matter of Balance workshops are happening across the state all year-round, at no cost to participants 

Organizers encourage those as young as 40 to take the classes.