Allison Boltz has been a fall prevention class facilitator for two years. Fall prevention classes, tailored to older adults with limited range of motion, increase muscular strength — an important part of retaining one’s sense of balance.

It’s the people and the interaction that Allison finds most appealing.

"I love getting to know the participants," she says. "I love helping them to be more aware of the risks around falls and helping them to be more secure."

Allison shared a story of helping someone feel more confident. "There was a woman who wanted to attend a family gathering, but she didn’t want to deal with the stairs. Sadly, she stayed home and missed sharing time with her family."

After attending fall prevention classes, the woman was very appreciative because she wouldn’t let it happen again. She would ask a relative for assistance or make other arrangements, Allison said.

Empowering people, as fall prevention classes do, is a hallmark of California’s 50 years of dedicated commitment to enriching the lives of older adults.