Alive and kicking

‘SHOULDER SHRUGS’, ‘TRUNK TWISTS’

AND ‘TROPICANA WIGGLES’:

NEW AGE CONCERN GUIDE PROVES

THERE’S MORE TO LATER LIFE THAN PUTTING YOUR FEET UP

Exercise can increase the stamina of an older person and extend the capacity for independent living by as much as 10 to 20 years

Most exercise programmes and information currently available tends to specifically cater for younger people, with very little aimed at older people, especially those aged 75 or over.

 Alive and Kicking – The Carer’s Guide to Exercises for Older People, a new guide published today by Age Concern,  is one of the first exercise books to cater for older people with a range of physical abilities, including the very elderly and those who may be chair-bound. The book shows how low intensity exercise can provide general physical and mental stimulation. 

The exercises are largely mild chair-based movements, often using props, and are designed to be fun. The book is also packed with photographs illustrating each exercise and provides clear and concise safety tips. 

The author, Julie Sobczak, has been a nurse for over 25 years and has been developing exercise classes for older people since 1992. 

Julie Sobczak says: “In my early days of caring for older people in residential and nursing homes, I often found residents spending endless hours just sitting staring blankly at each other or at a TV screen. Fortunately, this dismal picture is changing as care homes are slowly adopting an optimistic approach to care which includes opportunities for improving the older person's quality of life with safe and effective exercises. " 

1.      Age Concern publishes a free factsheet 'Fitness For Later Life' available from Age Concern Information Line on freephone 0800 00 99 66 or write to Age Concern, Freepost (SWB 30375), Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7ZZ. 

2.      Alive and Kicking – the Carer’s Guide to exercises for Older People  (£11.99 plus £1.95 p&p ISBN 0-86242-289-2) can be ordered from Age Concern Books on 0870 44 22 044, or send a cheque to Age Concern Books, PO Box 232, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4XQ.

3.      Ageing Well is an exciting programme within Age Concern that promotes better health in later life. Older Volunteers, called Senior Health Mentors, are specially trained to give information and advice on healthy living to other older people. This unique approach recognises that older people are an important health resource to each other and to their community. For more information on the Ageing Well programme, please call Vanina Ribatallada on 020 8765 7812.

4.      Visit Age Concern’s website at www.ageconcern.org.uk 

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