Trip the light fantastic, and don’t fall!
Being older brings many advantages, including a true understanding of life’s priorities, more time with the grandkids, and the ability to travel when you wish.
All these things present wonderful opportunities to have fun after a lifetime of working hard and looking after others. However, they are contingent on good health, so don’t wait until you have a fall or become deconditioned before you begin to work on yourself. It may be too late!
Mobility, balancei , and muscle massii are some of the greatest predictors of longevity in older adults, and Catholic Healthcare is pleased to offer our ‘Stepping On’ falls prevention program across NSW* all year round.
The Stepping On program is an evidence-based program proven to reduce falls by 31% in older people over 65 who live in the community. It consists of seven sessions over seven weeks.
If you are not keen on group activities, you may be eligible for one-on-one physiotherapy or occupational therapy. Our physiotherapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) can visit you in the comfort of your home. Our PTs and OTs are experts when it comes to supporting you in your home – whether it is a review of your home set-up, ideas on how to safely access your cupboards, being safe in the bathroom, or knowing how to get up from the floor safely, we can be there to help. After an initial assessment, we can develop an individualised program in collaboration with you to ensure it meets your needs and goals.
Allowing time for self-care and committing to your health and longevity will ensure you remain mobile and independent, and looking after your balance is one of the first steps in achieving this.
You may also wish to investigate other ways to achieve your best healthy self, such as our classes in aqua aerobics, Rhythm & Beats, dancing, and resistance through our tailored wellness program, Mind+Move, offered in many locations across NSW.
For more information on our Stepping On classes, or for enquiries regarding our individual in home programs, please call 1300 978 264 or visit our website.
*The Stepping On program is offered in North Sydney, Southwest Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter, and Dubbo regions.
i Araujo CG, de Souza e Silva CG, Laukkanen JA, et al Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals British Journal of Sports Medicine 2022;56:975-980.
ii Srikanthan P, Karlamangla AS. Muscle mass index as a predictor of longevity in older adults. Am J Med. 2014 Jun;127(6):547-53.