Welcome Bay seniors to live longer stronger lives

Keep on Your Feet participants enjoying the class. Supplied image

Helping to reduce falls and improve movement confidence in people aged over 60, is the aim behind a series of new classes coming to Welcome Bay.

The Keep on Your Feet strength and balance classes have been designed with seniors in mind and are coming to Welcome Bay on August 14 as part of a Sport Bay of Plenty initiative.

The initiative was launched in 2017 and has so far helped more than 940 seniors across the Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty improve their strength and balance and reduce their risk of falls.

Welcome Bay seniors will be the latest residents in the region to benefit from the initiative.

An accredited instructor will lead the sessions which are designed to be fun and supportive and show seniors they're never too old to be active.

The classes are part of a nationwide effort by ACC to reduce falls and fractures, and help seniors live stronger for longer.

Sport Bay of Plenty project leader Rachel Garden says falls are one of the most common and costly causes of injuries in seniors.

'Each year one in three people aged 65 and over will fall, and the risk increases to one in two for those aged over 80.

'But research shows group exercise programmes that focus on strength and balance can reduce falls by 29 per cent.”

Instructor Raewyn Tanner says she's thrilled to see the Keep on Your Feet classes come to Welcome Bay and believes participants will see positive improvements in their strength, health and overall wellbeing by attending.

'It's not just the physical benefits that make the classes worthwhile, it's also the enjoyable social aspect that comes with the regular group sessions.”

Keep on your Feet Welcome Bay starts Tuesday, August 14 at 10.45am. The one hour sessions will run every Tuesday at Welcome Bay Hall, 250 Welcome Bay Road. Classes cost $6 per session.

For more information, contact Raewyn Tanner on 027 6077 437 or raewyntanner@gmail.com.

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