The Regional Secretary for Health urged the elderly to join programmes aimed at the promotion of mobility as a way of ensuring a more active and healthy life.

Miguel Correia spoke during a meeting held in Terra Chã, Angra do Heroísmo on Thursday afternoon. The event was attended by more than 600 seniors from the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo that participated in a pioneering programme intended to promote mobility and balance.
 
The Regional Secretary praised the project and conveyed the Government’s commitment in all processes to improve both the quality of life and the autonomy of the elderly.
 
From October until August, the users of 23 of Day Centres are participating in a project titled “Por favor, não caia” (Please, don’t fall) in which physiotherapists, nutritionists and nurses meet with the elderly for physical recovery sessions, health session and dissemination of healthy food.

The physical therapy technique used, known as Pnf-Chi, is a form of low impact exercise intended promote global active mobilisation. It was created and developed on the island of Terceira by physiotherapists Eva Albuquerque and Paulo Araújo.

The project is an initiative promoted by the INATEL of Angra do Heroísmo, funded by the Regional Government, the Angra do Heroísmo City Hall and the Santa Cruz da Graciosa Town Hall, the island where a centre was created for 280 elderly people. This project is also supported by the Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória Healthcare Centres, the Health School of Alcoitão and by private entities.

At the gathering held on Thursday afternoon, which included a picnic, musical entertainment and a “bezerrada” (bullfight with calfs), it was also revealed that the vast majority of the elderly involved in this programme will participate in the “Saojoaninas” parade to take place the day before the main parade. This event is expected to count on the participation of more than 500 seniors from the islands of Terceira and Graciosa.