ACC funding cuts to fall prevention programmes have disappointed providers and raised concerns about the wellbeing of the elderly.
Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) providers were told this week their ACC funding would be cancelled with no new participants allowed from January 2010.
ACC media and public relations lead adviser Laurie Edwards said the organisation was "committed to preventing falls in older adults" and had evaluated adult fall prevention programmes to ensure the best solutions were being found.
It decided to focus on initiatives which had wider benefits, such as the modified Tai Chi programme.
"Through increasing the reach of modified Tai Chi we will be able to prevent falls in as many, if not more, older New Zealanders," he said.
Tai Chi had its contract changed, with funding levels remaining the same.
Changes included having participants attend only one class per week over 16 weeks rather than two classes over 20 weeks.
"The change in class format will allow ACC to offer more participants modified Tai Chi for the same investment."
Cromwell Physiotherapy principal Ellen Smoothy was "saddened that the initiative has been withdrawn" as it was very effective.
Those of concern in the community received tailored support from OEP to maintain their health and safety, keep them active and maximise their abilities, she said.
"This is an individual exercise initiative, not what you would get from a class. That was its forte."
Mrs Smoothy was now concerned about the wellbeing of the frail and those who remained active but were not very strong.
"I do think they will become dependent sooner or will have more accidents."
Oamaru's Nicola Newlands Physiotherapy owner Nicola Newlands "wasn't surprised, but was disappointed" by the decision, considering the current climate at ACC.
The programme had "proved to be effective, but not cost-effective".
About 35 people accessed the programme each year since it began in 2004 and she said ACC hoped a community group would pick it up.
Mrs Newlands said most people who accessed OEP would not handle Tai Chi and she was concerned about where they would turn.
Labour ACC spokesman David Parker said, in a statement, he was alarmed to hear the organisation was "moving to close down injury prevention programmes for the elderly".
The move made no sense because falls by the elderly were one of the fastest growing sources of ACC claims and one of the top 10 causes of hospital admissions, he said.
Otago Exercise Programme
- Operating budget of $3.1 million a year, funded by ACC.
- Helping about 5500 people per year since 2004.
- Designed by the University of Otago falls prevention research group.
- 12-month course made up of leg strengthening and balance retraining exercises tailored to individuals.
- For people older than 80, or 65 if Maori or Pacific Islander, who lived independently in the community, had a fall in the past year and were referred by a health professional.
- Available in main centres nationally.
