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Make a Start falls prevention campaign
Make a start…it’s never too late to exercise!
Participation in regular physical activity has many health benefits. Physical activity, especially activity that improves balance and strength, is known to reduce the risk of falling among older adults. To increase levels of physical activity among this group, we need to promote suitable exercise programs as well as provide incentives for them to more active.
What we are doing
Make a Start encourages people aged 65 years and older to be more physically active by offering them 3 free introductory SHARE exercise classes.
For a limited time each year, free SHARE classes are available at various locations across the inner west and Canterbury. The introductory classes allow participants to try activities such as tai chi, fitter and stronger, and gentle aqua classes with the option of enrolling in a class on an on-going basis.
The free classes are promoted through the local media, health services, general practitioners, community centres, libraries, SHARE, as well as seniors groups and organisations.
Class participants also receive a free falls prevention kit that includes information on a range of falls risk factors such as a lack of physical activity, eye sight problems, medications, environmental hazards, unsafe footwear, and chronic health conditions.
Previously known as Make a Move, Make a Start has run annually in SSWAHS since 2001.
Partners and funding
Our project partner is SHARE and funding is provided by the Health Promotion Service.
Evaluation
Each year, we monitor the number of people who respond to campaign, the number who register for the free classes and the number who enrol in on-going SHARE classes. The campaign has been successful in promoting physical activity as a way of reducing falls, and increasing participation in SHARE exercise classes.
More information
For more information contact Gai Stackpool on 9515 9074 or gstac@email.cs.nsw.gov.au
Related websites
SHARE
Make a Start online physical activity directory for over 50s
Active Over 50