South Ayrshire Council - News

NATIONAL FALLS AWARENESS DAY - TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2006

Members of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership Class Diamonds initiative, and Ayr and District Osteoporosis Support Group, highlighted annual National Falls Awareness Day by taking part in a sponsored walk along the Lang Scots Mile on Ayr Esplanade.

National Falls Awareness Day was part of a national campaign “Step into the Future”
which is organised by Help the Aged that aims to raise awareness of preventing falls amongst older people. The day’s message was that falls are not an inevitable part of getting older and it is never too late to start reducing risks by getting involved in physical activities and by improving balance.

Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of the Council’s Community Safety Committee took part in the walk and afterwards said: “Prevention is the key to this project. As people age they have an increased chance of falling, so by remaining physically active and maintaining mobility the chances of falling can be reduced. The walk was a fun way of highlighting such an important topic.”

The Ayr and District Osteoporosis Support Group joined with Class Diamonds to raise awareness of osteoporosis which is a painful and debilitating disease affecting 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50.

In 2006 the emphasis is on encouraging the over 60’s to keep active through physical activity including walking, dancing, gardening, Tai Chi, golf, swimming and keep-fit.

After walking the Lang Scots Mile at Ayr Esplanade participants went to the Ark Youth Project premises that are situated on the ground floor of the Citadel in Ayr.

The event was supported by the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, the voluntary Accident Prevention Committee, Tesco and Asda.

The Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Douglas Campbell> said: “There have been significant improvements in falls and fracture prevention services across the United Kingdom. The focus is now on ensuring that all older people keep physically active, by making exercise a regular event it will store up benefits for later years.”

Anyone who would like more information about falls prevention should contact Pamela Macrae, Public Health Co-ordinator, telephone number 01292 513867 or e-mail Pamela.Macrae@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Councillor Douglas Campbell, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership (left), and Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee with Pamela Macrae Public Health Co-ordinator - Older People, South Ayrshire Community Health Partnership, as the tape is cut to start the sponsored walk.

Councillor Douglas Campbell, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership (left), and Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee with Pamela Macrae Public Health Co-ordinator - Older People, South Ayrshire Community Health Partnership, as the tape is cut to start the sponsored walk.

June 2006