ActiveStrongerBetter is the most exciting new program to promote the health, independence and well-being of older people in the Hunter.
In conjunction with April’s focus on falls and falls injury prevention, we are thrilled to announce the partnership between Novacare and Hunter Ageing Alliance to roll out the ActiveStrongerBetter Program and Campaign across the region.
Dr John Ward, Geriatrician, believes this program comes at a time when older people are increasing in numbers but facing greater difficulty in finding suitable accommodation or accessible health care, among other things.
ActiveStrongerBetter is a comprehensive range of exercise programs for older people and, while in the early stages, includes programs in the community incorporating aerobic, resistance and balance exercises designed to improve mobility and promote independence, reducing the risk of requiring care prematurely.
There are gentle exercise programs designed for frailer older people and suitable for day centres, residential aged care facilities and hospitals. It is never too late to get active or get more active. Every bit helps.
“Exercise is the most effective strategy for most of the chronic diseases and health problems experienced by older people”, says Dr Ward. He goes on to say, “If it could be packaged in a pill, it would be the most promoted and prescribed in the pharmacopoeia!”
Exercise is certainly the most affective strategy to prevent falls and falls injuries, and is in the spotlight this April Falls Month (For more information visit https://fallsnetwork.neura.edu.au/aprilfalls.
ActiveStrongerBetter programs are run by Fitness Leaders, especially trained to conduct safe, effective, enjoyable classes for older people of all levels of fitness and disability.
ActiveStrongerBetter is the initiative of the Hunter Ageing Alliance and supported by a generous grant from the NSW Ministry of Health. It is managed through Novacare and supervised by a Consortium of fitness and health professionals from HMRI, HNELHD, the University of Newcastle and AUSactive.
