Meet Zoomers on the Go!
November 1, 2021
Many of us fall every year – in fact, the World Health Organization reports that every year 37.3 million falls occur that are serious enough to require medical attention. In addition to costing taxpayers a fortune through the extra burden on the health care system, falls can have devastating consequences such as hip fractures or having to move to long-term care. For older adults, the results can be catastrophic.
Many things can be done to reduce the risk and consequences of falls. Exercising regularly while challenging your balance is the most important of these, and many exercise programs offered in Canada and elsewhere address this need. However, a scan of Canadian exercise programs designed to reduce of the risk of falls showed that only 6% meet evidence-based exercise program requirements (offered yearly for 3 hours per week, and that they challenge balance.
In New Brunswick, Zoomers on the Go was launched in 2012. This community program is offered both in-person and online by certified peers, is free for adults aged 50+, and occurs at least twice per week. This exercise program aims to reduce the risk of falls using exercise and education, and has shown promising results. Participants report improvements in their muscle strength, balance, and power, all of which are related to fewer falling incidents. The program has attracted 1300 participants so far (either in-person or online).
Participants have really been enjoying what the Zoomers on the Go program has to offer!
Here are a few testimonials:
"Good exercise - laughs and meeting new friends."
"We have a fantastic instructor. She puts so much energy in what she does."
"I hope this continues; it's just great."
"…my first experience in the online program was exactly what I wanted”
We want to keep improving the program in NB - increase attendance, encourage more places that do not have a leader to offer in-person classes, attract people who currently do not attend the program (such as people who are likely to fall, males, visual minorities). In other words, we want to make this program accessible to as many people as possible from ALL corners of the province, in both French and English.
The Zoomers on the Go program is important because it targets an essential public health matter to age in place. This program has the potential to become self-sustainable and be implemented nationally. If you’d like to join a group in your community, you can find out more about local branches here. For more general information about Zoomers on the Go, please visit this site, contact cellab@unb.ca, or call (506) 458-7034.