It’s all in the timing we often hear. And that is the case when it comes to reporting on matters health in the City of Unley.

Active Ageing

I blogged yesterday on the City of Unley having the highest risk of heart attack. I had planned in lieu to blog on Council receiving a grant for our new “Daily Moves” program. But with the headlines of the media focused on the negative….well.

On the good news.

We are one of 27 organisations to receive a grant from Sport Australia. A grant moreover of over $ 590,000.

The grant will fund the Council’s new Daily Moves program. The program aims to engage about 800 participants aged over 65 across the eastern region of Adelaide. A program we will be conducting with the Eastern Regional Alliance group of councils.

We are joined by the Cities of Burnside, Norwood-Payneham-St Peters, Campbelltown, Prospect and the Township of Walkerville. On their collective behalf, we will co-ordinate the program.

We will assess participants for physical health and to develop personalised exercise plans. The assessments will include a number of health factors. Most importantly, they will include balance, sleep quality and grip strength.

Such assessment will guide a personalised physical exercise plan. A personalised plan which as a result will include recommendations about local activities in fitness businesses, clubs and community settings or a home-based program.

Specific needs of individuals will be supported through modified fitness activities.

As I noted yesterday, the City of Unley was the first council in South Australia to become a World Health Organisation Age Friendly City and Community. Winning this grant is recognition of our leadership. It is in other words, all in the timing.

This is just one of our many projects to promote active and positive ageing. Similarly, programs that should impact on our collective risk of heart attacks. We look forward likewise, to making a positive impact on older people’s lives.