Shape Up! Seniors encouraged to remain active to reduce falls
"For a Healthy Independent Lifestyle"
The Shape Up campaign is designed to get seniors involved with physical activity programs at seven community centers: North Bellevue Community Center, Bitter Lake Community Center, Loyal Heights Community Center, Burien Senior Center, Mt. Si Senior Center, Sno-Valley Senior Center, and Northshore Senior Center.
Click image above to start video. Seniors from the Mt Si Senior Center are getting their daily dose of stretching, muscle pumping and cardio workouts by participating in the Stay Active and Independent for Life exercise class, sponsored by the ShapeUp campaign.
The best way to reduce falls is to be physically active. When seniors choose activity programs that build strength, balance and flexibility, they significantly reduce their chances of experiencing a fall. The Shape Up campaign is a great way for older adults to get plugged into free and low-cost community activity programs.
Falls have a significant impact on older populations, according to the Emergency Medical Services Division at Public Health - Seattle & King County:
In 2008, fall related events comprised 17.4% of King County Emergency Medical Services responses among persons 65 years and older.
Approximately one-third of community-dwelling persons older than 65 years of age fall each year, and most of these falls are in the home setting. Furthermore, 10 to 15% of these events resulting in serious injury, half of these serious injuries are fractures.
For elderly persons who suffer hip fracture, half require hospital discharge to a nursing home and more than a quarter die in the year following the injury.
Taking part in physical activity three to five times a week can help reduce the risk for a fall.
The seven community centers participating in the Shape Up campaign: North Bellevue Community Center, Bitter lake Community Center, Loyal Heights Community Center, Burien Senior Center, Mt. Si Senior Center, Sno-Valley Senior Center and Northshore Senior Center are offering a $10 discount with a Shapeup coupon for seniors on any of their physical activity classes, such as yoga, line-dancing, enhance fitness and other group exercise classes designed for seniors.
The Shape-Up campaign is presented by the Emergency Medical Services Division of Public Health - Seattle & King County and sponsored by the Healthy Aging Partnership.
Click image above to start video. Giddy up Cowboy! Watch these seniors get their body moving in this ShapeUp sponsored Line Dancing class at the Bitter Lake Community Center.
Fall Prevention Falls are a major threat to the health and independence of older adults, people aged 65 and older. There are four important strategies that can reduce your risk for falls including exercise, medication management, vision and home modification.
Contact us
For more information about the Shape Up campaign, call Alan Abe at 206-296-0202 or visit www.4elders.org
Shapeup Participating Community Center Partners (Click the links below to receive a $10 discount on any group exercise class at a participating community center!):
