Celebrating older people

CELEBRATIONS and special events took place across the North West – including Warrington – to mark Older People’s Day.
Theme of the day was “Getting and Staying Active in later life” – with the aim of showing how continuing to exercise can reduce the risk of developing many of the diseases and conditions of older age and improve overall well-being.
Showing the way in Warrington was 71-year-old Angie Prince, who takes exercise to music classes two mornings a week.
She said: “You’ve got to keep the body and mind active. My group attracts a cluster of local people, with the oldest member being 89. We even have people recovering from hip replacements and heart operations who come and exercise as part of their rehabilitation. The class gives a new lease of life to local people and is a great way to meet other people.”
When asked if she has any plans to slow down, Angie said: “I feel great and I’m able to provide good advice on health and fitness so I want to continue to share it with others. It keeps me active and I enjoy seeing the benefits it brings to other.”
David Stalker, executive director, The Fitness Industry Association said: “What we need is an older generation which is fit and which is healthy. That is why keeping active in later life is vital to every older adult, irrespective of their mobility or their mental wellbeing. We cannot waste this talent and we must not let their inactivity impact the quality of their lives or the cost of looking after them.”
Events taking place across the region included exercise classes, dances, craft fairs, skills workshops and sporting competitions at a range of venues such as community centres, theatre groups, shopping malls and libraries.
Pictured: Angie Prince, centre, front row, with her exercise class.