A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce an older adult's fear of falling while increasing activity levels among community-dwelling older adults. This is important because physical inactivity is cited as a significant risk for falls and fall-related injuries. A Matter of Balance focuses on practical coping strategies to reduce both the fear of falling and the risk of falling by addressing physical, social, and cognitive factors.

The program was created by Boston University's Roybal Center in Applied Gerontology and the New England Research Institutes (NERI) with funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). It employs a  group-based fall prevention program model led by medical professionals, primarily a nurse or physical therapist.

The adaptation (lay leader model) and replication of this program was led by the Partnership for Healthy Aging (PFHA), a non-profit organization established by MaineHealth, Maine Medical Center, Community Health Services, and the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. PFHA is dedicated to offering older adults and their families a comprehensive resource for health promotion, wellness, social services, family caregiver support, and service integration.