A striking number of seniors in Oostzaan fall down and subsequently end up in hospital: this happens to one in 47 elderly people in Oostzaan every year. That is no less than 45 percent higher than the national average. To reduce this number, the municipality is financing a fall prevention course, especially for people over 65.
A special course should help seniors prevent falls – NH News
The De Bres community center forms the setting for the course. About ten participants are present today and are supervised by employees from the local physio practice. Various stretching exercises are performed. And it is explained how best to get up if you accidentally end up on the ground.
“We approach the course in a tai chi-like way,” says course leader Hester Martens-Tromp. “We teach people how to use their muscles and how to make them stronger. But we also make them aware of how they stand on their feet. All to prevent them from falling.”
Different explanations
It is not entirely clear why relatively more seniors die in Oostzaan. According to student Han, the problem is the condition of the local paving. “The paving stones here are all higgledy-piggledy.”
Course leader Martens-Tromp has a different explanation. “There is a large group of seniors here who want to continue living in their homes. And these are not single-storey homes, but old buildings that have sometimes sagged and where there are many thresholds and stairs.”
“I need to become more stable and these exercises will help”
According to Truus, who has already undergone several operations as a result of several falls, the course works. “The exercises help me to be less shocked in the future if you lose balance for a moment,” she says.
“I am becoming more aware of my body.” Teun, who shattered his elbow after a fall, is also positive. “I have to become more stable,” said Teun. “And these exercises help me.”
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