Volunteers Called for Strength and Balance Pilot Program
Strength and balance key to independence in older age
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS) is recruiting
Wollongong residents to take part in BEST @ Home, a home-based Balance,
Exercise and Strength Training (BEST) program pilot study.
The study aims to reduce the chances of people having a fall or accident
in the home by increasing strength and balance in adults aged 60 years and over.
“Once a person has a fall their ability to look after themselves can diminish
greatly due to injuries and hospitalisation,” Amanda Bates from the SESIAHS
Health Promotion Service said.
“Improving strength and balance means that as people get older, they
have a greater chance of staying mobile and living independently,” Ms Bates said.
“Other positive impacts from increasing and maintaining strength and fitness in later
years can include the simple things we take for granted, such as carrying in a full
load of washing, or being able to turn your head freely to look behind as you reverse
the car down your driveway.”
BEST @ Home is a 24 week program in which participants will be asked to
complete a basic walking program and a set of home-based strength and balance
exercises three times per week.
”We will be providing an initial training workshop for participants and a
follow up workshop at 12 weeks,” Ms Bates said.
“Participants will be provided with an exercise guide and other resources
to work with through out the program.”
SESIAHS is looking for people in the Wollongong Local Government Area who
are over the age of 60 and currently not participating in an exercise program.
Advertisements calling for volunteers will be published in local newspapers
over the next few weeks.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the SESIAHS Health
Promotion Service on 4221 6732 by Friday August 28th 2009.
Media enquiries: David Brown, 4253 4859 or 034 327 954
