The Ironbark Study: Healthy Ageing for older Aboriginal people

Ironbark: Standing Strong program A total of 60 community based sites will be recruited into this study. The 30 sites allocated the Standing Strong program will be supported to deliver a weekly class that runs for around 1.5 hours including 30 – 45 minutes of exercises, and 30 – 45 minutes of facilitated discussions by a trained worker. The program will run for the year, with additional weekly home exercise recommended. An Aboriginal site manager will recruit and support participants to participate in the class. A locally employed program facilitator (a trained exercise physiologist or equivalent) will facilitate the 30 - 45 minute strength and balance class. The program facilitator will be trained by the research team to use the Ironbark: Standing Strong and Tall manual, developed in the pilot project and specifically adapted for the present trial. The Manual includes exercises based on the Otago Exercise Program, as well as other games and activities to challenge balance and cognitive skills. Exercises, games and activities include one leg balances, step ups and leg raises. The program facilitator will also develop an individualised program for each participant to practice at home. All equipment needed in the weekly classes (resistance bands, balance beam, foam balance mats, balance disks) is provided as a component of the trial. The intervention group will also participate in a weekly 30 - 45 minute discussion around falls prevention, based on the Stepping On Program and adapted for Aboriginal community by the Ironbark pilot project. All program facilitators will receive training on the program, the manual and handouts for participants. Classes will be held weekly for 12 months, at a locally accessible location to be identified by the participating site. All handouts have been designed for the study.

Ironbark: Standing Strong program Sites participating in the trial will chose which program will be delivered. The sites who chose to deliver the Standing Strong program will be supported to deliver a weekly class that runs for around 1.5 hours including 30 – 45 minutes of exercises, and 30 – 45 minutes of facilitated discussions by a trained worker. The program will run for one year, with additional weekly home exercise recommended. An Aboriginal site manager will recruit and support participants to participate in the class. A locally employed program facilitator (a trained exercise physiologist or equivalent) will facilitate the 30 - 45 minute strength and balance class. The program facilitator will be trained by the research team to use the Ironbark: Standing Strong and Tall manual, developed in the pilot project and specifically adapted for the present trial. The Manual includes exercises based on the Otago Exercise Program, as well as other games and activities to challenge balance and cognitive skills. Exercises, games and activities include one leg balances, step ups and leg raises. The program facilitator will also develop an individualised program for each participant to practice at home. All equipment needed in the weekly classes (resistance bands, balance beam, foam balance mats, balance disks) is provided as a component of the trial. The intervention group will also participate in a weekly 30 - 45 minute discussion around falls prevention, based on the Stepping On Program and adapted for Aboriginal community by the Ironbark pilot project. All program facilitators will receive training on the program, the manual and handouts for participants. Classes will be held weekly for 12 months, at a locally accessible location to be identified by the participating site. All handouts have been designed for the study.