On Wednesday 23 June, as part of National Falls Awareness Week and the "Get Up and Go" campaign, the local falls prevention team will be at the Arndale Centre offering information on exercise as well as balance and strength testing.
Physical activity is one of the most effective ways of positively influencing health and is the theme for National Falls Awareness Week 2010.
Falls Prevention specialist Brenda Bigsby said: "We are inviting people to come and see us at the Arndale Centre on 23 June to have a balance and strength test.
"We will also be offering advice on how people can stay active and steady, avoid falling and also maintain strong, healthy bones.
"Falls in older people are serious and as well as affecting health, can lead to people becoming isolated. We understand this and would like to help people to do something about it.”
Muscle strength naturally declines as part of ageing, which increases the risk of falls. Physical inactivity can make this much worse, so it’s important for people not to be tempted to slow down as they grow older. That is why the main message of this year’s Falls Awareness Week is that falls don’t have to be an inevitable part of ageing, and by keeping as physically active as possible, the chances of suffering a fall can be reduced.
Not all types of exercise can prevent falls, but specific programmes for strength and balance have been shown to reduce the risk of falls by as much as 60 per cent.
The important facts about physical activity later in life are:
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It’s never too late to get started – almost everyone can do something to become more active, improving physical health and reducing the risk of falls
- Strength and balance are the key to independent living – allowing us to continue everyday activities
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It’s important to tailor the activity to individual needs, ability and interest
As well as going along to the Arndale Centre people can be referred by their GP or health professional for assessment at home.
