Synergy is a program we created to make an easy and approachable way for seniors to start their journey towards a healthier lifestyle to help tackle frailty. Centred around our card pack which combines exercises for both the body and mind, Synergy aims to help seniors feel confident and maintain a long independent lifestyle.
Pre-frailty is the transitional state between a robust state and frailty. Frailty is the clinical presentation of physical altercations such as loss of muscle mass, strength, energy and exercise tolerance. Individuals with one or two of these alterations are defined as pre-frail. The pre-frail state is an ideal window of opportunity to prevent tipping over to the frail state and promote transition into a robust state. With the ageing of the global population, preventing frailty should be a public health priority. More than half of people aged 70-79 and nearly 2/3 of those 80-89 can be categorised as pre-frail. Additionally, in 2022, 83% of ACC claims among people aged 70+ in Aotearoa were caused by one, or a combination of loss of balance, tripping, or stumbling.
Studies have shown that physical activity can help to reverse frailty if we can intervene early. Regular exercise helps
to prevent falls and counter common diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, and diabetes.
to prevent falls and counter common diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, and diabetes.
Despite the benefits, levels of physical activity remain low in older people.
The main focus of the campaign is the card pack. The mind-focused cards include mindfulness exercises, stress-relief techniques, and cognitive challenges to keep your mental faculties sharp. The body-focused cards offer a range of exercises catering to various fitness levels. The two categories are shuffled together so the pack is randomised.
The cards are also customisable via our online questionnaire, meaning we can cater to those of different mobility levels. You can customise the difficulty level, whether you need seated exercises, activities tailored to fit your personal goal, you can even customise the colour of your pack!
Our vibrant and fun illustrations are playful and approachable while also working as an exercise guide for the task. We have an easy step-by-step on the back of the card which gives all the details to carry out the exercise safely. It's also important to note that the cards are larger than your regular card format.
