Seniors Learn To Prevent Falls With Nymbl, The New App From Blue Shield Of California's Wellvolution Platform

The app offers balance exercises to help prevent falls, reduce emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and improve quality of life

Oakland, CA /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ - Blue Shield of California 's Wellvolution platform has added Nymbl , a new easy-to-use fitness app that helps older adults improve their balance and prevent falls in order to be able to maintain their mobility and independence.

Nymbl is a digital program focused on fall prevention that combines cognitive behavioral education and balance exercises in two tasks. The program is available on Blue Shield's Wellvolution platform, which offers its members proven therapeutic solutions based on lifestyle medicine and mental health at no additional cost. The technology is provided by Solera Health. Nymbl is available to people enrolled in Blue Shield of California 's Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans .

"As people get older, their balance reflexes start to slow down, which means they can't quickly catch on and avoid a fall," said Angie Kalousek-Ebrahimi , senior director of Lifestyle Medicine at Blue Shield . "We have seen an increasing number of members needing emergency medical services and hospital admissions after falling."

Falls are the leading cause of injury death among those over 65 years of age, creating a fear in the elderly that leads to reduced mobility and increased depression and social isolation. According to Nymbl, more than 70% of older adults are concerned about falls and 90% want fall prevention solutions at home.

"We created Nymbl with the goal of responding to the main concern of older people: to improve or maintain their mobility so that they can stay and age in their own homes," said Ed Likovich , CEO of Nymbl. " Our proprietary program trains balance as a reflex so it's available when needed. Seniors can access our program in the comfort of their own homes and complete their daily exercises in as little as 10 minutes."

"We are pleased that Blue Shield of California has added our falls prevention program through our partnership with Nymbl," said Mary Langowski , CEO of Solera Health. "Helping senior members avoid fall injuries helps maintain their quality of life and reflects our mission to ensure that the best health solutions are accessible and convenient for consumers."

According to Kalousek-Ebrahimi, Nymbl has improved quality of care and member outcomes. These results are also included in the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, which is part of the Medicare Star ratings. According to a study conducted in 2022 among Nymbl users who participated in the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey Medicare Health:

• 72% said they had discussed falls with their doctor, compared to the national average of 45% on the Fall Risk Management measure.
• 38% of participants reported an increase in moderate activity and 36% reported an improvement in Activities of Daily Living, which fit the Physical Activity Monitoring and Physical Health Improvement or Maintenance measures.
• 34% of the members stated that they felt calmer and more tranquil, 37% had more energy and 20% had more social commitments, which had repercussions on the Mental Health Improvement or Maintenance measures.

The Medicare Health Outcomes Survey collects valid, reliable, and clinically meaningful health data from the Medicare Advantage program. All managed care organizations that have contracts with Medicare are required to participate in the survey.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California is dedicated to creating a health care system that is not only worthy of your family and friends, but also sustainably affordable. The nonprofit organization has non-exempt tax status, is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association, and has 4.7 million customers, 7,800 employees and $22.9 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and currently headquartered in Oakland , Blue Shield of California and its subsidiaries offer health plans for medical, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare in California . In the last three years, the company contributed more than$120 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation for the benefit of California communities. To read more news about Blue Shield of California , visit our Spanish News Center at https://es.news.blueshieldca.com/ . Or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter or Facebook .

About Nymbl Science
Nymbl Science helps senior citizens by improving their mobility. Nymbl's falls prevention program is based on scientific evidence and includes two main components, each of which applies clinical reference techniques to improve health outcomes. The program has demonstrated industry-leading participation rates, improved seniors' confidence in their balance, incorporation of new health habits, and a 35% reduction in fall-related claims. Visit https://nymblscience.com/ to learn more about the company and its programs.

About Solera Health
Solera Healthis committed to changing lives by guiding people to better health solutions, while giving payers and employers the right tools to manage providers and outcomes for various diseases. Solera's platform offers a marketplace of carefully curated networks of digital and community solutions focused on social, behavioral and lifestyle interventions to impact the most prevalent and costly chronic diseases. Solera strategically connects consumers with the solution that best suits their needs and helps them maintain their commitment to successful health outcomes. For more information on Solera alliances and products or how we can help member populations,www.soleranetwork.com.