Use it or lose it!

Media Release

30 September 2014

Use it or lose it!

There are 278,800 New Zealanders aged over 65 who have been diagnosed with arthritis. And given one of the most beneficial things they can do is to remain active, Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby reminds us of the importance of exercise, as we celebrate the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on Wednesday 1 October.

“We are all getting older, so we ask people to remember those older people close to them.”

“While arthritis can strike anyone at any age, older people remain an important group to consider. A condition like osteoarthritis can affect people’s ability to live active lives. There are 530,000 New Zealanders who are living with one or more of the 140 different forms of arthritis.”

“Arthritis needs to be treated as a health priority. And while we are grateful that the government is promising more resources to the treatment of arthritis, there is much more that needs to be done.”

”And if we help people with arthritis to lead active lives, we can help keep older people active and contributing to family and community, which is better for everyone.”

“So as we celebrate those older people in our lives, remember those who are living with the pain of arthritis, and what we can do to help them remain fit and active,” Ms Kirby concluded.

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