Promotional Feature
This years Older People's Day was on Thursday October 1st and saw local businesses come together to promote health and fitness in the community. Backed by the Government, AgeUK and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) the aim was to celebrate the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society helping them to stay active and reduce their risk of falls.
More than 400 physiotherapists promoted mobility, activity and active living at events across the UK this year as part of Older People's Day and in Alderley Edge more than 70 older people got involved with local physio, Physiofit to enjoy bowling, Nordic walking and seated Pilates taster sessions. Donations were collected for Age UK Cheshire East who regularly host active classes for the older person.
Chartered Physiotherapists play a key role in keeping people active and independent as they get older through services such as falls prevention classes, which focus on improving a person's strength, balance and coordination, as well as identifying any potential risk factors.
Local physios Nat Johnson and Fiona Ridler from Physiofit in Alderley Edge hosted a free Fitness for Later life class during the RVS Luncheon Club session at the Methodist Church encouraging people to gain more confidence in their balance to reduce their risk of falling.
Fiona says "Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing. There are a number simple steps that everyone can take to reduce their risk, such as doing some basic exercises and keeping active. It is never too early to start - prevention is possible. The feel good factor of the day was fantastic, with people praising the free and practical advice and many people trying new activities and making new friends.
"Our thanks go to the Alderley Edge Union Club and their members for hosting the bowling session, the RVS and particularly Ann Bale for allowing us to join her wonderful Luncheon Club for the day, to Everybody Sport and Recreation for the free leisure passes to local leisure centres, to AgeUK Cheshire East for their support and all the local health and fitness practitioners who made the day possible."
Physiofit have been running a competition to coincide with the day to highlight the achievements of local residents in staying fit and active as they age. They have chosen two inspirational ladies from the many stories they received to receive prizes.
Rita Shapiro is a former ballet dancer, gymnast and swimmer. She took up Pilates 10 years ago and uses the reformer every week to maintain her mobility and strength. She regularly attends hydrotherapy to exercise in water and walks for half an hour every day.
Photos: Mavis Britnell and Rita Shapiro.
Rita still works as a Cambridge Weight Plan Consultant in which she has helped and supported clients for over 30 years. She is very keen on maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle and next year is looking forward to celebrating her 90th birthday. She attributes her ongoing active lifestyle to her regular physio with Angie Jackson at Physiofit in Alderley Edge.
Mavis Britnell, age 76, has been an active fund raiser for Macclesfield Eye Society for over 20 years and a member of Inner Wheel for the past 17 years. She was nominated as Cheshire Woman of the Year in 2012 for her community service/personal courage. Marcia does an exercise class and a Pilates class every week to keep herself fit. She does her exercises set by her physio every morning and walks each day with her husband Charles.
They make a habit of parking further from their destination in order to walk further each day and always opts to use the stairs rather than taking a lift. Mavis has a very positive and cheerful outlook on life and is passionate about keeping her and her husband fit and healthy in their later life.
There were many other tales of wonderful people who did not consider what they did as unusual but we think they are incredible...
A 78-year-old lady who still plays golf and attends a Pilates class every week. We met a current British bowling champion and a grandmother who manages to swim, play golf, go rambling every week and is an active gardener and who regularly challenges her grandchildren to rounders games and beats them!!
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists along with Saga have produced a booklet 'Get Up and Go' to teach ways to reduce your risk of falling and a video showing how to assess your risk of having a fall. Both are available at www.csp.org.uk/getupandgo.
Information about falls prevention and local activities available can be obtained through Physiofit 01625 590444 or by emailing them [email protected].
Photos: Mavis Britnell and Rita Shapiro.
