Young At Heart get active in New Plymouth

New Plymouth injury Safe teamed up with over 30 local organisations on 16th June to lay on a day of fun activities and exercises to highlight the links between keeping fit & active and preventing falls in later life. Visitors were treated to Tai Chi, aerobics, line dancing, marching, stretching, indoor bowls and other fun exercise sessions during the morning, along with free health checks and massage/mirimiri. 

Other activities included a stove fire demonstration (by the Fire Service), a healthy cookery demonstration and a secondary schools team debate. The debate, between New Plymouth Girls High School and Francis Douglas Memorial College, explored the issue of whether children should be expected to look after their parents when they get old. The students weaved themes of elder abuse and neglect into the debate, which was held to mark World Elder Abuse Day (15th June). 

The event also fell within Men's Health Week (15-21st June) and Age Concern marked this by running free health checks for men during the day. Every man was given a free 'WOF' voucher as they came into the TSB stadium and, as a result, the Age Concern stand was busy all day as a constant stream of men came to collect their free check up (including the Fire Service crew manning a neighbouring stand!).

The Wellbeing Day provided another opportunity to highlight to older people the importance of keeping fit and active as a means of preventing falls. The event also allowed local falls prevention services, including Sport Taranaki (Tai Chi), Taranaki DHB Physiotherapy (Otago Exercise Programme) and Age Concern (Home Safety Checks), to promote their service and encourage visitors to join their programmes. 

A special mention must be made about our guest speaker, Rose Jacob, who travelled from Hamilton to attend the wellbeing day. Rose, who is 94, is an inspiration - holding 3 New Zealand records at the Masters Games, and 11 gold medals gained just over the last 2 years. Rose goes to the gym four times a week, continues to enjoy Scottish dancing and can still do the splits! Rose certainly reflects the spirit of the Young At Heart wellbeing day!