Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is recruiting tai chi volunteer leaders to run classes with older people as part of the region’s successful falls prevention strategies.
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The aim of this program is to increase the access of older people living in rural communities to appropriate fall-safe activities designed to improve their muscle strength, flexibility, balance and fitness.
They will learn tai chi for osteoporosis with master trainers attending from Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi Institution in Sydney.
Most bone fractures occur because of a fall.
The chance of falling can be reduced by exercising to build muscle strength and improve balance.
Regular and ongoing exercise can also slow the rate of bone loss, which reduces the risk of fractures from osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is the loss of calcium and other minerals from a person’s bones which makes the bones susceptible to fracturing (breaking).
In Australia, almost half of all women and one third of men over 60 years of age have osteoporosis.
“Tai Chi is a proven way to improve strength and balance, which is particularly important for older adults to maintain independence,” Falls Prevention coordinator Nazmul Ahasan said.
“With the new volunteer leaders we will be able to establish more classes to benefit older adults across the Murrumbidgee.
“Classes are low cost, with participants asked to contribute a gold coin donation to assist leaders with venue and other costs.”
Registration will be closed on Friday 17 July 2015.
New leaders will attend the training on August 29 and 30 in Wagga.
For more information about the training and to get a copy of the registration form please contact Nazmul Ahasan on 0427 278 398 or nazmul.ahasan@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au