Ageing Well - Activities for you
AGEING WELL – ACTIVITIES FOR YOU!
Ageing Well
Healthy Lifestyles advice, physical activity and Flexercise for fun.
Aiming to improve the health and well-being of older adults ensuring that ‘adding years to life also means adding life to years’.
Regular activity is essential in helping to remain agile and independent. It can greatly improve ones sense of well-being as well as help prevent or maintain future health problems.
It makes you feel better and improves self-esteem, because you look and feel better about yourself. It is always enjoyed in a social situation.
Whatever you do start gently and gradually build up the length of time. Government recommendations state that you should build 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.
Click on an area to the left or below to see what's happening near you!
Mendip North Somerset Sedgmoor South Somerset Taunton Deane West Somerset
THE PROJECTS
Ageing Well is a national programme managed by Age Concern England and is funded locally by Somerset NHS PCT. The service promotes physical activity for mental and physical health and well-being - “Adding Years to Life, Adding Life to Years” - and organises activities and sessions throughout Somerset including North Somerset.
Fit as a Fiddle is a national programme run through Age Concern England encouraging physical activity and well being for older people. Fit as a Fiddle is funded by the Big Lottery Fund until 2012.
THE ACTIVITIES
Flexercise – Flexercise is a fun chair-based activity session run by trained volunteers usually in Sheltered Housing common rooms, Active Living Centres and other places where older people meet. If you are interested in joining one of these sessions, would like a session near you or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Dianne Ramsay on 0845 643 4702 or email dianne.ramsay@ageconcernsomerset.org.uk
Gym Work – Currently only taking place in Watchet, these sessions allow Over 50s sole use of the Gym and its equipment, with a qualified Gym Instructor on hand to offer assistance and advice.
Keep Fit / Exercise to Music / Body Focus / Movement to Music – We offer a variety of different keep fit/exercise classes throughout the county but they all have several things in common – you will receive a friendly welcome, they sessions will be lively and fun and can help with your flexibility, co-ordination and balance. The sessions can also help you with your muscle strength and help you sleep better at night.
Line Dancing – Recent research has proven the social, mental and physical benefits of dancing for older people. It may even stave off illness and counteract decline as we age. It also showed that it contributes to successful ageing and helps older people enjoy longer and healthier lives, whilst joining in something that they enjoy that literally helps take away the aches and pains associated with older age. It also brings people together whatever their background. We offer sessions for all levels of ability - no experience is necessary and no partner is required, just come along.
Tai Chi – Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art which places an emphasis on breathing and the mental component of training, rather than on vigorous body movements, thus making it suitable for people of all ages. Research has shown that Older People who take part in Tai Chi can reduce their risk of falling by up to 30% and improve their balance, posture and co-ordination.
Experts have also found that as well as improving circulation, Tai Chi strengthens joints and muscles, improving fitness and helps to aid relaxation and relieve stress.
Tea Dance – An afternoon of dancing, socialising and fun! A local Dance Instructor provides the music, leads the dancing and offers tuition to those that would like it. Come along and join in! No previous experience required, you don’t need to come with a partner and the price includes Tea and Biscuits!
Yoga – Yoga combines breathing, relaxation and physical exercises to balance the mind. It also helps to improve flexibility and can aid posture by teaching relaxation of the neck, shoulders and back. Some say that it can even help to lower blood pressure. It will help you to feel less stressed and will help with your flexibility and co-ordination. The instructor can adapt the postures for either the floor or chair to suit individual needs and abilities. No previous experience is required nor do you have to be fit already as the stretches are gentle and involve posture and breathing.