Health promoter chit chat

by Anna Tillman, Health Promoter, Age Concern Canterbury.

Winter, the season that sees us lighting the fire or turning the heating up, hunting out our warmest clothes and perhaps thinking more about staying inside where it is warmer rather than heading outside for a walk or an exercise class. As we all know, the winter season brings a lot of potential hazards. Sometimes it even brings the potential hazard of thinking it’s far too cold to exercise!! There are possible issues that we should all be aware of with the colder winter temperatures. Low temperatures can inhibit blood flow to the muscles leading to tighter muscles and decreasing range of movement. This could mean that slipping and falling holds a greater danger than usual, so it is essential to keep the body active during ALL times of the year, regardless of age. As our bodies age they naturally experience degeneration and weakening. Therefore, finding ways to continuously strengthen our bodies, even throughout winter, is a fantastic way to stay in shape.

Often as we age the best ways to stay active are also the most social ways. Starting at, or continuing with, a local community class is a great way to help your body while having fun. The Steady As You Go classes that Age Concern Canterbury runs are a great way to work on strength, balance and mobility while providing the social aspect that is so important. There are over 35 Steady As You Go classes running in and around Christchurch now, so hopefully you will be able to find one that is local to you. The up-to-date list is on our Age Concern Canterbury website, and it is published in this magazine as well. Alternatively, you are more than welcome call me direct to get any further details.

Remember as always to stay safe and pain free when you exercise. Listen to your body and adjust your routine if necessary, stopping if you

Steady As You Go (SAYGo)

Falls Prevention – Exercise Classes in Canterbury (April 2023)

experience acute pain, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat. Warm up and cool down. Aim to do a few minutes of light activity (arm swings, shoulder rolls, marching on the spot, light stretching) before and after exercise. Drink water to remain hydrated and wear sensible clothing. Have fun!

Some indoor winter exercises:

Heel Toe stand: Standing, holding onto a support with one hand. Place one foot in front of the other, with the heel of one foot touching the toe of the other. Hold for a count of 10. Repeat twice each side. To increase the challenge, use your hands less and/or hold for a count of 15.

One leg stand: Holding onto a support, raise one foot off the floor, trying to balance on one leg. Hold for a count of 10. Repeat twice each side. To increase the challenge, use your hands less and/or hold for a count of 15. things sorted and organised with minimal fuss and stress.

If you are considering moving into a smaller home, perhaps a retirement village or residential care and you feel you could use some help, Mature Moves could be your answer.

It is a Christchurch-based company with local people helping older people to downsize and move when the need arises.

Inside walking: If you are able to, you could try going to your local mall and walking around the interior of this. If you don’t have a mall handy try walking inside your house in a circuit, being aware of lifting your feet, adding in marching steps with an arm swing, taking higher steps and taking longer steps. If you are unable to walk freely inside then do the same sitting, marching and running your legs, adding in purposeful arm swings.

Happy exercising, and as always, I look forward to hearing from you with any questions, queries or suggestions. Email anna.tillman@ ageconcerncan.org.nz or phone 03 3317811.

Along with this wonderful service, they can also organise selling things you no longer require, or if you desire gifting them to family or charities. They can also clean homes inside and out, and complete the gardening to get houses ready for sale.

James Church Hall, Harewood Rd, airport end

Mon 2.00pm Papanui (On Hold) Papanui Village Presbyterian Church, Frank Street

Tues 9.30am Papanui Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road Papanui

Tues. 10.00am South Brighton South Brighton Community Centre, Beattie Street.

Tues. 10.00am St Albans (Waitlist) Lamb of God Community Centre, 21 Thames Street, St Albans

Tues. 10.00am Woolston (Private) Streamside Court Community Centre, 27 Streamside Court.

Tues. 10.00am Fendalton (starts 20 June) St Barnabas Church Hall, Fendalton. Christchurch.

Tues 10.30am Bryndwr (Waitlist) Bryndwr Chapel, 179 Idris Road

Tues 1.30pm Hornby (Waitlist) Community Care Centre, Goulding Avenue

Tues 2.00pm Waltham Waltham Community Cottage, 201 Hastings St East

Wed 11.00am Halswell Te Hapua, Halswell Service Centre and Library, 341 Halswell Rd

Wed 1.30pm Lincoln Lincoln Community Care, Lyttelton St,

Wed. 2.00pm Papanui Age Concern Canterbury, 24 Main North Road, Papanui.

Thurs 9.30am Riccarton (On Hold) Kauri Lodge, 148 Riccarton Road

Thurs 10.00am Heathcote Malt Works Villa Hall, Port Hills Rd

Thurs 9.30am St Albans St Albans Community Centre, 1049 Colombo Street

Thurs 10.30am Avonside/Linwood Holy Trinity Church, 168 Stanmore Road

Thurs. 11.00am Avonhead (starts 27 April) St Christophers Church, 244 Avonhead Road, Avonhead

Fri 9.30am Hoon Hay (Waitlist) Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church Lounge, 5 Downing St

Fri 10.00am New Brighton (Waitlist) New Brighton Library – in the Pay and Display Room

Fri 10.00am Opawa Opawa Community Church, cnr Opawa Rd and Aynsley Tce

Fri. 11.00am Opawa Opawa Community Church, cnr Opawa Rd and Aynsley Tce

NORTH CANTERBURY

Day time AREA Location of class

Tues 10.00am Rangiora (Waitlist) RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

Tues. 11.00am Rangiora (starts 4 April) RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

Wed 10.00am Rangiora Ballarat Retirement Village, 21 Ballarat Rd

Wed 11.00am Amberley Amberley Library, RSA Room

Thurs 10.30am Rotherham Rotherham Hotel, 42 George St

Thurs 10.00am Oxford Jaycee Hall, 56 Main Street. Oxford.

Thurs 11.00am Amberley Beach (in recess) Amberley Beach Hall

Thurs 1.30pm Rangiora RSA Hall, Victoria Street, Rangiora

Thurs 1.30pm Pegasus Pegasus Community Centre, Cnr Pegasus Main and Tahuna St

Thurs 2.00pm Kaiapoi ($3.00) Anglican Church, 23 Cass Street, Kaiapoi

Please note the new classes at: St Christopher’s Church, Avonhead on Thursdays at 11.00am and St Barnabas Church Hall, Fendalton on Tuesdays at 10.00am (from 20th June)

They understand that sometimes your family are not positioned to help as they might like to or have time restraints. True to their motto ‘to treat you like they treat their own families’, the team at Mature Moves can pack up, declutter and move all of your belongings and furniture to your new home.

Then they unpack and set up your new home to the very last detail, just the way you like it.

Decluttering can be a bit overwhelming. However, it is made much easier with some understanding help. Step-by-step you can have

Mature Moves is about helping people. You let them know what help you need and they will set about showing you just what they can do to help you.

A visit and consultation is free of charge, with no obligation to use their services. However, if you feel they may be of assistance a quotation can be provided for your consideration.

You can phone Mature Moves on 0800 777 214 to talk about your move. We are sure Mike and the team can help you to lighten the load and make your move a smooth transition. A