The Balance Mat is forming an integral part of two pilot programs to be run in South Australia.
With funding from Health SA, the Council on the Ageing SA (COTA SA) plans to conduct two ‘Strength for Life 50+’ programs.
On 28 September, COTA SA Manager Strength for Life Jeanette Richards took delivery of two Balance Mats from Balance Mat General Manager Ian Bergman in Adelaide.
Mr Bergman spent the day in Adelaide supporting Ms Richards to train approximately 30 people in how to operate the Balance Mat.
The first pilot program COTA SA plans to conduct is focused on strength, balance, exercise and nutrition and has a strong emphasis on falls prevention. This program aims to engage older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD).
The second is a “reablement” program to be conducted at Anglicare SA’s St Laurences Grange residential aged care facility. It will be conducted by UniSA exercise physiology students and volunteer fitness instructors and could serve as a model for other Anglicare facilities to adopt.
