Older people in Leeds are being encouraged to keep active by taking part in normal every day activity.
A new leaflet explains the benefits of keeping moving through ordinary household tasks- like sweeping, vacuuming or hanging out the washing. Gardening, carrying the shopping and walking around regularly all help people keep fit and mobile.
Dr. Ian Cameron, Director of Public Health for the Leeds PCT, said, “This is a welcome message to encourage older people to maintain everyday activities – you don’t have to take up membership at a gym or join organised exercise groups to gain a benefit to your health.”
For those who find movement more difficult, just using the stairs regularly or even standing up and sitting down from time to time in your chair can help maintain strength and fitness. As one older woman says on the leaflet: “If I just sit in the chair, my knees seize up!”
The benefits of every day activity include
- Moving around more easily
- Keeping well and strong
- Doing more for yourself
- Keeping in touch with family and friends
- Feeling more relaxed
The leaflet has been written by NHS and council staff, and older people contributed to the content and helped choose the illustrations.
Staff working in health and with older people, older people’s groups, and anyone else who would like a copy, are encouraged to order free copies (including bulk supplies) from:
Leeds
Public Health Resource Centre – you phone for an order form or download one from this page
Telephone: 0113 295 3081