Retirees learn how to stay young at heart

Exercise and healthy eating are key to staying young at heart and residents and visitors of Merisham Court in Banbury are due to find out how ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Shirley Wong, County Exercise Coordinator for Older People, Community Health Oxfordshire (CHO), the provider arm of NHS Oxfordshire, will be giving a taster session and talk about how to reduce falls through diet and exercise on Friday 5th February from 2.00pm – 3.00pm. In addition she will give examples of simple, effective exercises that can be done whilst still seated.

Shirley, who works with the Oxfordshire Falls Prevention Service, said: “We’re making the connection between healthy hearts and Valentine’s Day because one way to reduce the risk of falling is through exercise, as it improves muscle tone and helps balance. If you or someone you know has had a trip or slip or who may be at risk of falling, they could benefit from this session. Why not come along and find out more?”

In Oxfordshire almost one in three people over the age of 65 experience a fall each year, this rises to one in two of people aged 80 and over.

Xante Cummings, Unit Manager Community Services (CHO) adds: “Our programmes of exercise and advice are available across the county. They are designed to raise awareness of the risk of falling among people as they get older and promote straightforward, helpful ways, to reduce them and therefore the number of fractures. There are many reasons we fall and not all are related just to our age! It is really important that we are able to prevent falls wherever possible as the consequences can be devastating and long term for older people.”

Robin Pike, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy & Stone adds: “We’d like to thank Shirley for taking the time to help residents and visitors boost their health.”

The taster session will be held at McCarthy & Stone’s Merisham Court, off Southam Road in Banbury. For more information and details of NHS programmes of exercise for older people throughout the county, visit oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk.