Osteoporosis New Zealand

Extraordinary Aucklander awarded

Age is no impediment to one's zest for life, if Aucklander Mrs Lillian Langton is any indication.

Lillian, 97, was one of three New Zealanders to receive an award at the Osteoporosis New Zealand You Deserve a Medal ceremony in Parliament last night. The awards - open to all New Zealanders aged 65 and over - aim to encourage older people to stay physically active – a key contributor to maintaining bone health.

A shining example of the benefits of an active lifestyle, Lillian has suffered both a fractured pelvis and hip, but her exercise programme enables her to maintain her balance and reduce the risk of falls, thereby reducing her risk of future fractures. She continues to work as a co-ordinator for Meals on Wheels – a role she has performed for 30 years - for those less mobile than herself.

Lillian lives independently in her own home, plays indoor bowls, drives a car, and attends fitness classes. She enjoys entertaining and being entertained, and has also been known to enjoy the odd flutter at the Sky Casino. Lillian Langton is simply full of the joy of life, and a worthy recipient of the Pharmac Medal.

Lillian joins two other extraordinary New Zealanders on the winner's platform – Mr Robin Smith, 86 of Dunedin who begins each day with a 1000 metre swim at 6am, attends weekly Tai Chi classes and runs Age Concern's Steady as You Go exercise group, alongside his involvement with University of the 3rd Age, Otago Alzheimer’s Society and Knox Church Social Justice work group; and 90-year-old yoga teacher, Ms Lyndsay Nichols of Russell.

Claire Mackintosh, Chair of Osteoporosis New Zealand, said: "It is essential that we recognise these inspirational individuals who make an effort to stay physically active and look after their bones. The awards evening is a tribute to their success, with a real feel good factor felt by all on this momentous occasion.

"Our You Deserve a Medal awards take place during Osteoporosis Awareness Week and it is amazing that year after year we continue to receive such inspirational nominations for the awards – testament to the many older Kiwis who make it a priority to stay fit and active. We would love to be able to present a medal to each and every one of the amazing people who were nominated this year."

Executive Director of Osteoporosis New Zealand, Julia Gallagher says, "A bone healthy diet and regular exercise offer so many benefits to our health from an overall improved sense of wellbeing to helping prevent falls through improved balance and muscle strength.

Keeping fit also helps slow bone loss and reduces the risk of osteoporosis – a disease that affects about half of Kiwi women and nearly one third of men over the age of 60 years."

Mrs Lillian Langton was presented with her award in Parliament last night by the Minister for Health, Tony Ryall, and Osteoporosis New Zealand's 'bone ambassadors' Caroline Evers-Swindell and Georgina Earl.