Older people in Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) are being encouraged to get physically active this April as part of April Falls Day, to help build their strength and maintain their independence.
Better Balance for Fall Prevention is the theme of this year's April Falls Day, an annual event held throughout April supported by the NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network to encourage older adults to become more active and reduce falls.
To mark April Falls Day, SNSWLHD is launching 'Standing Strong', a new, locally developed falls and frailty prevention program for older adults. A pilot program is underway in Goulburn, and will be rolled out throughout the district in coming months.
NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network Lead Advisor Professor Cathie Sherrington said staying physically active is the single most important thing we can do to stay independent as we age.
"As we get older, our bodies lose muscle strength and coordination, so the more active we remain, the better chance we have of maintaining our physical function," Professor Sherrington said.
"Improving strength and balance in our legs allows us to complete regular daily activities more easily, including getting up and down stairs, in and out of cars, negotiating uneven surfaces and reducing the risk of falling.
"Older people benefit from regular tai chi, group exercise programs, gym sessions, community-based falls prevention programs such as Stepping On, or simple exercises at home to improve muscle strength and balance.
"Research has also shown that regular exercise can reduce falls in older people by 23 per cent, but slowly building up high-challenge balance exercises can increase the effects of exercise by up to 40 per cent."
The Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) has collaborated with the NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network to produce a range of April Falls resources for patients, families, carers and health staff.
To find local physical activity and healthy lifestyle programs, including fall prevention programs, visit the Active and Healthy exercise directory. Information and advice to support older adults to be more active is also available on the Active and Healthy website. This includes home-based exercise circuits designed for beginners to follow along at your own pace from the comfort of your own home.
