Older People In Forth Valley Invited To Shape Up

Older people in Forth Valley are being invited to limber up at The Peak sports centre in Stirling by participating in a free activity day for the over fifties.  The event next month is designed to coincide with the 8th World Congress on Active Ageing which is being held in Glasgow, and will offer free taster sessions in a number of activities. These include Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, health walks at the University campus and Otago exercises

Otago which originated in New Zealand, is a muscle strengthening and balance programme designed to help older people reduce their risk of falls in later life.  For the past four years it has been used extensively across Forth Valley in rehabilitation settings, in day care and supported housing schemes for the elderly and more recently in leisure facilities. Otago is shown to reduce the number of falls by around a third in the older population.

NHS Forth Valley Allied Health Professional (AHP) Consultant for Older People’s Services, Lesley Yarrow, said: “We would love people to bring a friend along to the Peak for the Otagathon, especially if it’s someone who has never exercised before. Exercise is the key to muscle strength and balance, which are especially important as we get older. Some of our patient case studies are being featured at the World Congress on Active Ageing, and we wanted to hold something locally to mark this achievement.”  

The Active Ageing event at the Peak will take place between 10am and 3.00pm on Wednesday August l5th and is open to anyone aged 50 or older.  It is a joint venture between NHS Forth Valley, Active Forth and Active Stirling, the Ludgate Resource Centre at Clackmannanshire Council and Callander Health Centre. In addition, two Healthy Walks are being organised at the University of Stirling campus.