90-year-old launches aerobics video

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London: The UK seniors’ welfare charity Help the Aged has launched a new exercise video/DVD, called Step to the Future, with the support of Masterfoods. All the exercises are carried out by an energetic team of older people led by presenter Seona Ross (pictured), who has over 65 years of exercise experience and celebrated her 90th Birthday in October.

According to the 2003 Health Survey for England, 81 % of men and 87% of women aged 55 years and over do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity
to benefit health. The aerobic endurance and strength exercises were devisedspecifically for older people to keep strong and active in later life.

While rest and relaxation are important as a person ages, regular exercise is necessary to stay active and healthy. Exercise makes the heart stronger, increases energy levels, muscle strength and bone density and reduces the risk of falls. Preventing falls is a critical issue for older people – one person dies every five hours as the result of a fall.

Viewers can progress through the standing, chair-based and floor exercises all set to an uplifting musical soundtrack. There are clear instructions on how to perform each exercise, with safety messages and tips on how individual exercises can help with every day tasks. The DVD also contains options for English subtitles and a voiceover in Hindi.

Pamela Holmes, Healthy Ageing Programme Manager for Help the Aged, said: “Exercise is a must for all ages, but we found many older people are put off by the array of celebrity and youth-orientated exercise DVDs and videos that are on offer. Step to the Future is presented by older people for older people so it provides a fun exercise experience that is much more inclusive. It is an ideal purchase for older people interested in becoming more active or as a present for older relatives”.

For older people with mobility difficulties who would prefer an easier range of exercises, an existing Help the Aged video, called Be Strong, Be Steady, is still available in a range of languages.

Step to the Future video (N-27-01), Step to the Future DVD (N-27-02) and Be Strong, Be Steady video (N-26-01), can be purchased through Help the Aged Home Shopping by phone, 0870 770 0441, or online www.helptheaged.org.uk/homeshopping Copies are £12 each.

1. Help the Aged provides three service packages that enable older people to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible; Home Support; Advice and Information; and Community Living. Falls Prevention Advice is part of Advice and Information, a range of services that empower older people, their families and carers through the provision of advice and information on topics such as finances, health, housing and care through help lines, face-to-face projects and written materials.

2. Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation and neglect. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services including information and advice, home support and community living services that are supported by its fundraising activities and paid for services. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

3. Masterfoods is one of the largest confectionery makers in the UK. It makes six of the UK’s top ten selling single chocolate bars, including the Mars® bar which has been the No 1 best seller since records began. Masterfoods also has leading petfood and main meal businesses, making some of the UK’s most popular and familiar products including Pedigree®, Whiskas®, Dolmio® and Uncle Bens®.

Masterfoods is committed to helping to create vibrant and positive communities. For over 70 years in the UK it has translated that belief into action – forging relationships with local schools and colleges, donating to charities, and helping to build communities that we can all be proud of. Masterfoods’ support for projects and organisations is primarily focused on four core themes that reflect and complement its areas of business. These are Education, Pet Welfare, Health and Wellbeing and the Environment.