STAND UP! Classes Are Back!

NEWS RELEASE

NORTH BAY, ON – STAND UP!, a free, 12-week fall prevention program for older adults, will be offered in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts starting this January. The program focuses on building balance, strength and flexibility of older adults who are concerned about their balance or who have had a fall. The classes are offered twice a week in multiple communities.

The program consists of three components: group exercises, exercises at home and discussion sessions on fall prevention. STAND UP! also includes education about various topics like medication management, vision and hearing, and choosing safe footwear.

“Falls are the leading cause of preventable injuries in older adults,” says Taylor Matson, Community Health Promoter at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. “Joining programming like STAND UP! or other free community exercise to stay active, social and strong can help to prevent falls among older adults.”

Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to one of the following agencies to learn more about classes offered in their community:

• Victorian Order of Nurses North Bay: 1-800-265-5379
• East Parry Sound Community Support Services: 705-724-6028
• West Parry Sound Community Support Services: 705-746-5602
• West Nipissing Community Health Centre: 705-753-0151
• Mattawa: 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5215

Those who are looking to give back to their community and have an exercise background with experience providing exercise classes to older adults can also register to be a STAND UP! facilitator, which will help to increase access to classes across the district.

For more information on STAND UP! or to become a facilitator, visit myhealthunit.ca/SOYF or call Taylor Matson at 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5215.

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The local Stay on Your Feet Coalition includes community partners, volunteers, and organizations that work on planning and implementing local activities to decrease the number of falls and fall-related injuries, and support healthy independent living for older adults in the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts.

Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca