LOWVILLE — Lewis County General Hospital has introduced a tai chi and yoga program in hopes of reducing falls by its nursing home residents and adult day-care patients.

"The thing I'm cueing in on is balance," said Terry Allen, a physical therapist at the county-owned facility who is overseeing the program.

Falls by residents are one of the largest concerns at nursing homes, Nursing Home Administrator Joseph S. Todora said. And, when the state Department of Health this summer offered a grant program to fund quality-of-life projects at nursing homes, hospital officials saw it as an opportunity to address that problem through alternative exercises, Mr. Todora said.

The hospital last month was awarded $45,000 toward the tai chi and yoga program, but officials already had decided to implement the exercise regimen immediately, with or without state funding, he said.

"We'll jump on any opportunity to improve the nursing home and residents' lives," said the hospital's chief executive officer, Eric R. Burch.

Ten staff members began training in July and started working with residents in September, Ms. Allen said. Between 20 and 25 seniors typically participate in the 45-minute, twice-weekly sessions, she said.

"I've been impressed with how strongly our residents have taken to it," Ms. Allen said.

The tai chi and yoga routines have been adapted to accommodate seated participants and include more "breathing exercises" to provide rest periods, she said.

While the program's goal is to improve seniors' strength and flexibility, Ms. Allen said she also has observed cognitive and emotional gains among participants.

The tai chi and yoga sessions have been incorporated into the facility's nursing rehabilitation program, in which certified nursing assistants are trained to provide residents with maintenance therapy.

"Their purpose is to maintain functional mobility, whatever that would be," for each individual, Ms. Allen said.

Started a few years ago, the nursing rehabilitation program "really sets us apart from other nursing homes," she said.

Although tai chi and yoga have a background in Eastern religion, they are utilized here simply for the physical benefits, Ms. Allen said.

"We're not teaching any philosophy, just exercise," she said.

On Thursdays, some residents even "go right from tai chi to Bible study," Ms. Allen said.

The nursing home is one of 37 facilities to share $1.5 million in grant funding through the state Department of Health's Long Term Quality Improvement Initiative, according to a release from the state agency. Applications were received from 111 facilities.