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Stepping On for over 65s

A free, seven-week falls prevention program for people 65 years and over living in the community. Face-to-face programs recommenced in March 2022, with participant recruitment via local Councils, retirement villages, older adults’ services and Library Health Month activities. Of participants who completed evaluations, all (100%) said: • they gained information/knowledge about falls prevention • they applied what they learned from the program in their daily life • the program increased their sense of wellbeing, self-esteem and independence.

Between March – December 2022: 14 face-to-face programs completed. 215 participants enrolled. 10 English and 4 Culturally and linguistically diverse programs. Average participant age range: 65-92 years. Pre and post assessments showed improvements in functional strength, balance and mobility.

Health Promotion Officer, Elise Harding, from our Healthy Ageing team.

“The best part of the Stepping On program is hearing from others’ experiences.” – Stepping On participant.

RESEARCH: Supporting older adults to keep physically active During 2021–22, we researched factors affecting physical activity maintenance among older culturally and linguistically diverse people who had completed the Stepping On program. The research highlighted the importance of: • timely information in preferred languages • location and convenience of physical activity opportunities • the positive impact of social support and friendship; and • preference for written and interpersonal assistance (rather than digital) from familiar sources. This research was conducted in collaboration with the Prevention Research Collaboration at the University of Sydney and WSLHD Multicultural Health Bilingual Community Educators.

28 interviews conducted in languages including English, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and Punjabi.

82 people with an average age of 75 years took part in the research survey.

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WSLHD Centre for Population Health