Positive Ageing Staying Steady on Your Feet

Tripping, slipping, losing your balance – the consequences can be frightening, even life-threatening, as we age. Posture, strength and balance, and vision all tend to deteriorate with age.

Falls are the major cause of injury requiring hospital treatment for older people and, in the oldest age groups, it’s the single biggest cause of hospital admission. Women figure most heavily in the statistics.

Presbyterian Support’s positive aging service, Enliven, runs Tai Chi classes with Nancy Sherwood. This is a relaxed course designed for older and elderly people. Classes are Monday and Thursday, 11.00 am-noon, Redwoodtown Hall, $4 a class, and at Renwick in the Giesen Sports Centre, Thursdays, 6.00 pm-7.00 pm, $5 a class. Contact Nancy at Enliven, Ph: 03 577 9005 ext 709.

A six-week ‘Stable and Steady’ Falls Prevention Programme is being held at the Riversdale Community House, 131 Budge Street. Free education, exercises and advice to over 65s. Starts 27 September. Referrals through a GP. Further enquiries to Marlborough PHO, Sue Houghton, Ph: 03 578 0469, or Tina Fortune at Sport Tasman, Ph: 03 577 8855 ext 5.