Being able to maintain balance is important. In particular, as we get older we are less able to keep our balance and more likely to fall and hurt ourselves. This can have a devastating impact on our health and quality of life. Body in Motion offers two programmes which can help improve balance and reduce the risk of falling: Balance for Life group exercise programme and Falls Champion home-based falls prevention programme.
Balance for Life is a group exercise programme, approved by ACC/Sport Bay of Plenty which aims to improve strength and balance. Small classes ensure that exercises can be modified to suit everyone who attends. Exercises are made more challenging as you become stronger and more stable and can be continued at home too. The group class allows you to exercise with supervision in a social and friendly environment.
The Falls Champion programme is a home-based exercise programme. If you are at risk of having a fall, you may be referred to a falls champion who will arrange to visit your home. During the first visit, the falls champion will assess your home for falls risks and offer practical advice on making your home more ‘falls friendly’. The falls champion will then go through a series of strength and balance exercises based on the Otago Exercise Programme, which you can continue yourself at home. Subsequent visits will check your progress.