John Fitzgerald, who specializes in working with senior fitness at Anytime Fitness in Milton, wants to invite local senior citizens and caretakers to attend Wednesday’s ‘Fall Prevention Awareness’ presentation.
The presentation, which is free to attend, will not only address the causes and consequences of falling but also show some easy exercises which could benefit seniors.
“Seniors have died from falling and it could also cause traumatic brain injuries,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a quality of life issue.”
Fitzgerald said this will be the second time Anytime Fitness has put on such an event. As far as preventing falls from occurring, residents are encouraged to take a common sense approach in removing any trip hazards from a household, like removing a old rug, or adding more lighting. Fitzgerald also suggests getting their insurance company involved by receiving regular eye exams.
Another good resource for area senior citizens is the Silver Sneakers program, which depending on the health care provider and gym, allows seniors to regularly work out at no cost.
“A lot of seniors don’t regularly workout either because they don’t want to or because they can’t afford it,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said Anytime Fitness proudly offers the Silver Sneakers program. He added the gym’s ‘Sneakers’ program sees a lot of participation from area seniors. However, Fitzgerald said less than 10 percent of seniors don’t know about the nationwide program. For more information on the Silver Sneakers program, visit their website at www.silversneakers.com.
The event will also show attendees exercises which will helps with overall fitness.
“These will be easy to do exercises, which can be done at home or on the road,” he said. “(These exercises are geared) to strengthen lower body.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Fall Prevention Awareness Presentation at Anytime Fitness in Milton
WHEN: 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23
WHERE: Anytime Fitness, located at 6568 Caroline Street in Milton
COST: Free to attend
CONTACT: Anytime Fitness for more information on the event, by calling 623-3348 or by email at miltonfl@anytimefitness.com
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Anytime Fitness hosts Fall Prevention Awareness event