Boost your Bones for Age UK's Falls Awareness Week

Monday 18 June - Friday 22 June 2012

Age UK is urging people to ‘boost their bones' by taking a short walk and getting out in the sunshine for ten minutes or waking up to a session of light exercise such as Tai Chi for Falls Awareness Week 2012 (18-22 June 2012).

The Week will highlight the importance of exercise alongside a balanced diet rich in calcium and getting enough Vitamin D through sunshine to build and maintain healthy bones, helping to prevent falls and fractures as we grow older. People in later life will be encouraged to take part in a whole range of local activities during Falls Awareness Week 2012 to learn how they can look after their bone health all year round.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General at Age UK, said: 'As we get older our bone strength naturally deteriorates, which puts us at greater risk of serious injury if we do fall. There are lots of things that we can do to help prevent falls and keep our bones strong and healthy as we age.

'During the Week, Age UK will be working with falls prevention services, hospitals and other charities, including local Age UKs, to host events and activities for people in later life. Participants will discover the importance of getting out in the sunshine and incorporating calcium and sources of vitamin D in their diet, as well as finding out more about simple ways to introduce strength and balance exercise into their day-to-day lives. Every step can make a difference - from simply walking up the stairs to getting active in a local exercise class.'

To find out more information about Age UK's Falls Awareness Week 2012 and what's happening in your local area call 0800 169 87 87 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/fallsweek.

-ENDS-

For any media enquiries or photography, please call Sarah Scott on 020 3033 1434 or email sarah.scott@ageuk.org.uk.

Notes to editors

Age UK
For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).