Boost Your Bones

Yarlington Housing Group will be holding a Community Core Café on Wednesday the 20th June at Oak Tree House, Norton Road, Stoke Sub Hamdon as part of Age UK's Falls Awareness Week 2012 which runs from Monday 18 – Friday 22 June 2012. Backing the Charity's drive to boost the bone health of older people across the country, the event will show that there are many simple things that can reduce the risk of falls and fractures as we grow older.

 

Age UK's Falls Awareness Week 2012 will highlight the importance of exercise alongside a balanced diet rich in calcium and getting enough Vitamin D through sunshine to build and maintain healthy bones, helping to prevent falls and fractures in later life. With around 30% of over-65s and 50% of those aged over 80 falling every year, Yarlington Housing Group is calling on older people to attend local activities during Falls Awareness Week to learn how to prevent falls and look after bone health all year round.

 

The event will include an interactive presentation by Somerset Sight on the importance of regular eyesight tests to reduce the risks of falling, and the National Osteoporosis Society who will be using chocolate to demonstrate how good bone health is so important in reducing the risk of falls.  People in later life from across South Somerset are invited to join in to find out what they can do to help prevent falls.

 

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK, said: "As we get older our bone strength naturally deteriorates, which puts us at greater risk of serious injury if we do fall. People attending Falls Awareness Week events will be able to find out more about how to maintain bone health as well as discovering simple strength and balance exercises.

 

"Every step can make a difference – from simply walking up the stairs to getting active in a local exercise class. Events such as Yarlington's Community Core Café held in support of Falls Awareness Week are a vital way to encourage people to understand more about preventing the risk of a fall and maintaining independence."

 

During Falls Awareness Week, Age UK will be supporting events across the country highlighting how important maintaining healthy bones is, as well as the benefits of staying active in later life. For more information on how to get involved or host your own event, call 0800 169 87 87 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/fallsweek.

 

To download Age UK's free 'Staying Steady' and 'Healthy Eating' guides call 0800 169 6565 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk.

 

Age UK's Five Ways to Maintain Bone Health:

 

Age UK has compiled a list of ways to boost bone health and help ensure your bones stay strong and healthy.

 

• Weight-bearing exercise is important to help keep your bones strong and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Do plenty of brisk walking, tennis, aerobics classes and dancing to strengthen your bones. Activities that strengthen your muscles and help to improve co-ordination and balance are very effective in reducing the risk of falling. There are even strength and balance exercises you can do while sitting down and standing with the aid of a chair.
• Enjoy a balanced diet. Foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt, baked beans, lentils and dried apricots are great sources of calcium. Vitamin D is essential for your body to absorb calcium so eat plenty of oily fish, eggs and fortified breakfast cereals.
• Flash the flesh. Take a stroll in the summer sun; just 10-15mins each day around lunchtime between March and September is a great way of getting Vitamin D and keeping healthy. If going out in the sun for longer, always remember to use sunscreen with SPF of at least 15.
• Avoid smoking. Smokers have been shown to lose bone at a faster rate than non-smokers and so are at an increased risk of osteoporosis
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.