Older adults on the Central Coast are being encouraged to get physically active this April as part of April Falls Month.
April Falls is an annual campaign supported by the NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network that aims to raise awareness of falls prevention and help those at risk of falling to stay on their feet.
Having good balance reduces the risk of trips and falls and helps us to live independently as we get older, which is why this year’s April Falls theme is ‘Better Balance for Fall Prevention’.
Steven Coote, a community health clinical nurse consultant at Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD), said most falls are preventable through regular exercise.
“As we get older, our bodies lose muscle strength and coordination, increasing our risk of falling,” Mr Coote said. “This can begin to happen in our 50s, but many people wait until they’re older and frailer to do something about it.
“The good news is that many falls are preventable if we build as much physical activity as we can into our daily routines. This could be through an exercise class, hobbies such as tai chi, yoga or lawn bowls, or through incidental physical activity like doing the housework, gardening or walking to the shops.
“By remaining as active as possible, we can improve our strength and balance and live independently. And if you’re not already active, it’s never too late to begin.”
CCLHD’s Health Promotion Service has developed an April Falls Community Advocate Toolkit to support patients, families, carers, health staff and community organisations with quick and simple ways to spread the falls awareness message. The toolkit brings together resources from a number of organisations including NSW Health and NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network.
To find local physical activity and healthy lifestyle programs, including fall prevention programs, visit NSW Health’s 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.