eep on your feet with strength and balance classes
Sport Bay Of Plenty has launched a new programme focused on supporting older people to live stronger for longer by reducing the risk of falls and fractures .
Keep on your Feet community strength and balance group classes are being provided across the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty , as part of the nation -wide initiative .
Research shows that older people with muscle weakness , balance issues or mobility limitations are 3-5 times more likely to fall in any one year than those without these problems . There is also evidence that community group strength and balance classes can reduce falls by 29 %.
Sport Bay of Plenty Project Leader Jen Riley says the classes involve simple but effective exercises to improve leg strength and also challenge participants balance in a fun and safe environment .
“ Falling over and losing your strength and balance shouldn ’ t be considered a natural part of ageing . Many falls are preventable through simple and effective strength and balance exercises .”
Tauranga ’ s Greenwood Park Retirement Village residents Maxine Hunkin and Val Slattery have been regularly attending strength and balance class run by the YMCA .
Maxine says the classes have helped her keep on top of her health
Greenwood Park : Pictured from left - Val Slattery , Maxine Hunkin and Mollie Lane .
conditions , such as Type 1 Diabetes and Osteoporosis .
Val Slattery says the classes keep her mobile . “ It ’ s better than sitting at home in an arm chair . Not only is it a great way to be active , but it ’ s a great way to socialise with others and have a bit of fun .”
Classes are currently being offered in Kawerau , Ōhope , Tauranga , Mount Maunganui , Papamoa , and Te Puke .
For more information on classes visit www . sportbop . co . nz / keep-on-your-feet
If you are interested in offering a class in your community , or you would like to be trained up as a Strength and Balance instructor get in touch with Jen Riley , Keep on your Feet Project Leader , on 027 419 0067 or email jenr @ sportbop . co . nz
Innovative procedure trial at hospital sees Bay cancer patient swallow easier
Brian MacDonald ( centre ) can swallow easier without needing an overnight stay in hospital due to a new procedure led by Speech and Language Therapy Team Leader Fiona Hewerdine ( left ) and ENT Head and Neck Surgeon Brandon Hitchcock .
For most of us swallowing is something we do easily without thinking . But for patients like Mount Maunganui man Brian MacDonald , doing this has required a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay in hospital every couple of months .
Brian was diagnosed with neck cancer five years ago , and had his voice box removed and a six week course of radiation therapy .
“ I ’ ve never been a smoker , so finding out I had cancer and would need my voice box removed to stop it spreading , was a real shock . It was major surgery , a twelve hour operation but needed to be done .”
Laryngectomy patients like Brian , often develop stenosis from fibrous tissue and increasingly over time they find it difficult to swallow . To address this , every couple of months some patients require an oesophageal dilatation which breaks up the tissue allowing food to pass through freely . The benefit lasts for a limited time , so they have to have the procedure done frequently .
Until recently this procedure was only done by ENT surgeons in theatre or by Gastroenterologists . Now some patients are being trained at Tauranga Hospital by Speech and Language therapists and the ENT team to do this procedure at home .
Bay of Plenty District Health Board ( BOPDHB ) Speech and Language Therapy Team Leader Fiona Hewerdine says , “ We ’ re the only District Health Board providing Laryngectomy patients with this option . The technique is used internationally and there ’ s good evidence supporting it . It saves both patient and surgeons time . But most importantly it gives these patients a sense of empowerment and control as they can pro-actively manage their own health .”
Brian was one of the patients who opted to try the procedure . Every couple of days he pushes the silicone tube down his throat , clearing the passage allowing him to swallow easily .
“ Most people shudder at the thought of it . But I ’ m one of those people who will give things a go , it ’ s in my nature .”
The semi-retired painter- decorator has gone from having regular overnight stays in hospital to just attending for annual check-ups .
“ It ’ s not the most comfortable procedure , but it ’ s better than having a general anaesthetic every couple of months , and I feel more in control of my health .”
The self oesophageal dilatation procedure is offered to all laryngectomy patients who want to try it at home .