News

Movement with residents shows benefits of exercise

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 10:46:00

Weekly strength and balance groups involving aged care residents at Sea Lake are proving how easy exercise can be for all ages and abilities.

Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) has started weekly Movement with Residents groups that are attracting strong support from Sea Lake community members.

Wednesdays are Exercise Day at MTHCS Sea Lake, starting with Strength and Balance from 9.30 to 10.30am, followed by Tai Chi from 11am to 12pm, and Movement with Residents from 1.00 to 2.30pm.

All groups have a music therapy focus and are followed by a cup of tea. Exercises are led by Sandra Monaghan, from the health service Allied Health department, who is trained through the Tai Chi Institute of Health to deliver the local programs.

MTHCS Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said participants of the Sea Lake exercise groups were being invited to be involved in a survey by Mallee Sports Assembly (MSA) to learn more about how people in the Buloke Shire area were accessing exercise and social activities.

“MTHCS has a wide range of exercise groups that are designed for all abilities, ages and fitness levels right across the catchment. These include tai chi, planned activity groups, craft groups and the wide range of programs offered by Neighbourhood Houses.

“We are always looking at ways to get people more involved in these existing groups and social and fitness programs generally, especially those for people aged over 65 who are keen to be more active, but who are not sure where to start,” she added.

Ms O’Callaghan said the Movement with Residents group at Sea Lake had been a huge success as well as the popular Tai Chi groups that had proven benefits in reducing the risk of falls.

“This is a group with mostly chair-based music therapy activities for aged care residents, but we also invite community to come along and sit with residents, share afternoon tea and some music and light exercise. The focus is on movement, balance and posture.

“There are also proven mental health benefits including reducing social isolation and loneliness. We are seeing declining membership in local events like social bowls so it’s really important to find out what barriers to participation there are,” she added.

Ms O’Callaghan said issues such as health conditions, mobility and transport often impeded people in rural areas from being better connected in their communities. She said the health service hoped that the survey would help with future planning for sustainable activities that met community needs.

Anyone wanting more information about the exercise groups can contact Sandra Monaghan at MTHCS on 5092-1111.