As we welcome the warmer summer air, Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard is looking forward to upcoming programming and events! Discover proven techniques to prevent falls and overcome the fear of falling in our eight-week interactive course, “Matter of Balance.” Covering fall reduction, recovery, and physical fitness, this program is designed to empower participants to live safe and active lives through avoiding fall-related injuries. Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays from June 11 to July 30, running from 10 am to 12 pm at Howes House. Refreshments will be provided. Secure your spot by registering with Sue Merrill at 508-693-2896. Act fast, as classes fill up quickly!
Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard also wants to highlight upcoming events for those who would like to enjoy the beautiful hiking trails this Island has to offer. Learn to use walking poles for stability, strength, and balance at Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury on Wednesday, June 12. Presented by Sheriff’s Meadow and TrailsMV, two hands-on sessions are available to the public.
The morning session (10 – 11:30 am) caters to anyone who would like to learn about walking poles, while the afternoon session (1 – 2:30 pm) is tailored for professionals and volunteers working with seniors and mobility support; a “train the trainers” session. Led by certified instructors from the American Nordic Walking Association, Lauren DeLong and Carla Fongaren, the sessions are free and require no advance registration. Refreshments and maps will be provided, along with suggestions for Island walks.
The event is made possible by a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation to Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation and TrailsMV, enabling the purchase of specialized walking poles for safer mobility on the Island’s conservation properties. The poles will be available through the Island’s Councils on Aging. Event sponsors include Martha’s Vineyard Falls Prevention Coalition, Healthy Aging M.V., NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard, Edey Foundation, Cape Cod Five, and Tisbury Printer. Location: Polly Hill Arboretum, 795 State Road, West Tisbury. Reach out to trailsmv@sheriffsmeadow.org if you would like more information.
Don’t miss out on these valuable opportunities for enhancing your well-being and safety. Whether you’re looking to gain confidence in preventing falls, or seek to improve your trail experience with walking poles, these events offer something for everyone. Register for the “Matter of Balance” course, and mark your calendar for the walking poles tutorial at Polly Hill Arboretum. Take proactive steps toward a healthier, more active lifestyle today!
—Jamie Loschen, associate director
For more information, visit the Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard website: hamv.org.
