Stay on Your Feet

 

Karrinyup Shopping Centre will be the epicentre of fashion on Tuesday 26 August, 2008. 

 

Inspirational parades featuring fashions from Karrinyup’s premier retailers will delight audiences throughout the day when five fabulous seniors model the latest Spring fashions at Karrinyup to promote falls prevention and healthy active ageing for over 60s.

 

In an effort to reduce the incidence of falls in those aged 60 years and over, the Injury Control Council of WA together with the Department of Health WA and Karrinyup Shopping Centre is presenting fashion parades at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm on Tuesday 26 August to remind seniors that by being active they can reduce their risk of falling.

 

In the lead-up to Stay On Your Feet Week – 14 – 21 September 2008, seniors from the Karrinyup Mall Walking Group will parade Spring fashions during a Stay On Your Feet ® WA expo at the Karrinyup Shopping Centre and Philippa O'Connell will host this exciting event.

 

Ms Suzanne Ralston, Manager of Falls Prevention at the Injury Control Council of WA (ICCWA) said falls were not an inevitable consequence of ageing and could be prevented.

 

“In fact, most falls are caused by personal issues; something in relation to a person’s lifestyle, physical or mental state, and once the cause or causes are identified and addressed, the risk of falling can me minimised,” she said.

 

“Unfortunately, seniors and their families often accept falls as a consequence of ageing instead of finding out the real cause. By reporting falls to health professionals, appropriate risk assessments and health management can be undertaken,” she said.  

 

“Seniors can learn the reasons why a fall may have occurred as often falls are caused by one or a combination of many known risk factors which once known can be managed to facilitate healthy, active ageing and independence.

 

“Strength and balance exercises and a healthy active lifestyle, for example are proven elements in reducing the incidence of falls in seniors,” added Ms Ralston.

 

Models in the fashion parade are active participants in the Karrinyup Shopping Centre Mall Walking Group. Consisting of 30 members, this group meets at 7.45 am on Tuesday and Friday mornings. 

 

Walking helps to maintain strength, slow osteoporosis, improve balance and coordination, assist joint movement and improve cardiovascular stamina.

 

Ms Ralston said following stretching exercises and a warm up, the walking group covers between one and four kilometres within the shopping centre malls.

 

“Mall walking is a great way to stay healthy and group members enjoy a free, safe, secure and friendly environment within which to exercise, and socialise.  Members are predominantly seniors however people of all ages are welcome to attend,” she said.

 

ICCWA is dedicated to developing and implementing educational and awareness raising programs that can help reduce the number of falls for seniors, in addition to promoting the appropriate reporting and referral systems.

 

Ms Ralston said she was delighted that Karrinyup Shopping Centre had come on board in support of this important campaign and invited seniors and their families to Karrinyup on Tuesday 26 August to gain valuable information from a range of health practitioners about reducing their risk of falling. 

 

There are nine steps to Stay On Your Feet^® which can assist with maintaining independence: -

Step 1: Be active

Step 2: Manage your medicines

Step 3: Manage your health

Step 4: Improve your balance

Step 5: Walk tall

Step 6: Foot care and safe footwear

Step 7: Regularly check your eyesight

Step 8: Eat well for life

Step 9: Identify, remove and report hazards

 

Stay On Your Feet WA® is a Department of Health WA program and aims to assist people to stay mobile, active and independent.

 

Falls are one of the most common and serious problems faced by people aged 60 years and over with 1 in 4 or approximately 75,000 WA seniors falling annually. Of these, one third require medical treatment from that fall. Unfortunately, fractures are the most common serious injury, with hip fractures being the most serious.

 

For more information about the expo, fashion parade, mall walking groups or to get a copy of the SOYFWA^® information booklet, please contact ICCWA on (08) 9420 7212 or visit www.iccwa.org.au

 

 

 

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Media contact: Vanessa Strack 0439 887 299