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Active Over 50: Physical Activity Programs for the Over 50s
Active Over 50's has classes running throughout the Hunter and North Coast of NSW. To find a class that suits you, at a time and venue that fits in with your fitness plan simply click on one of the links below.
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Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
(pdf) 143kb -
Great Lakes and Manning
(pdf) 84.1kb -
Maitland and Hunter Valley
(pdf) 92.8 kb
Background
Participation in regular physical activity is beneficial for older people. As well as physiological and psychological benefits, it has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Appropriate physical activity also contributes to improving the self-management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. It has been shown to have a protective effect against falls injuries through building muscle strength, balance, flexibility and fitness. Since falls injuries are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation and death in people aged over 65, this is also a high priority for health promotion programs for older people.
The psychological benefits of participation in physical activity groups include improvements in socialisation and social confidence. In turn, improvement in quality of life often results in increased confidence in carrying out everyday activities and feelings of control over one’s own health and well-being.
Aims and objectives
The project aims to increase the number of sustainable physical activity opportunities for older people living in the Hunter New England region.
Implementation
In partnership with the HAHS CARE Network, the Active Over 50 project will build on the work already done within the Rural Falls Injury Prevention Program. Strategies for this program include:
- Subsidising and supporting qualified fitness leaders to deliver new gentle exercise groups in communities identified as having a high need due to limited previous access, such as the Upper Hunter, or large numbers of older residents, such as Port Stephens.
- Training two dozen fitness leaders and health professionals to deliver Tai Chi for arthritis groups in settings across the Hunter and New England.
- Forming Lifeball groups as a less formal exercise opportunity.
- Working with the Active Over 50 program to provide sustainable support for group leaders.
This extension of the project will include:
- Following up all newly trained leaders to ensure their groups are being sustained.
- Working with the Active Over 50 administrators to develop a quality assurance system that’s designed to ensure the sustainability of groups and address the barriers local General Practitioners may have to referring their patients to Active Over 50 groups.
- Working with the Urban and Rural Divisions of General Practice to increase GP referral of patients to the groups.
Information & Support
- Contact HNEPH for more information about this project.
- Falls Injuries For Older People Information & Support
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