Each year, the month of April marks April Falls, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of falls prevention and help those at risk of falling to stay on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having good balance reduces the risk of trips and falls and helps us to live independently as we get older, which is why this year\u2019s April Falls theme is \u2018Better Balance for Fall Prevention\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) physiotherapist Matt Egan emphasises the importance of doing strength and balance exercises before you develop a risk of falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour balance can begin to deteriorate in your 50s, but many people wait until they\u2019re older and frailer to do something about it,\u201d Mr Egan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFalls can be really significant and life changing events as we get older so it\u2019s important to act on early changes to your balance, strength and vision. Don\u2019t wait until having a fall to take action.\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Egan recommends simple tests to do at home to check on your balance, like standing on one leg for 60 seconds and standing on one leg with your eyes closed, without wobbling. It\u2019s best to do these tests near a kitchen bench in case you need to grab it for safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you struggle, there is help available. \u201cPeople assume falls are just a normal part of ageing. But most causes of falls are preventable and there\u2019s a lot people can do to reduce their risk of falling,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NSW Health offers a range of programs to help older adults with balance, including Healthy and Active for Life, a free 10-week online program and Stepping On, a free seven-week program conducted face to face at community locations across the Central Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other activities recommended to improve balance include tai chi, yoga and lawn bowls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information visit: www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Each year, the month of April marks April Falls, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of falls prevention and help those at risk of falling to stay on their…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[39,41],"tags":[],"series":[115],"class_list":["post-3825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-news-events","series-coffee-with-a-coastie"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/April-Falls.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/feed\/podcast\/coffee-with-a-coastie","embedCode":"Improve your balance this April Falls<\/a><\/blockquote>