• Growing old - living dangerously (GOLD)
(Queensland)
• Staying young in Young (New South Wales)
• Sir Leslie Morshead War Veterans’ Home walking
track (Australian Capital Territory)
• Sunshine Coast Regional Men’s Health Program (Queensland)
• Easy Moves For Active Ageing (South Australia)
• Reachout Program (Tasmania)
• Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing (South Australia)
• Physical activity programs for older Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people
• More examples
Throughout Australia there are many programs already being conducted which
provide opportunities for older Australians to reap the benefits of becoming
physically active. This page has a broad cross-section of examples of those
programs.
Growing old - living dangerously
(GOLD) (Queensland)
GOLD offers Brisbane residents the opportunity to take part in an amazing
array of short courses which challenge the accepted notions of age-appropriate
activity. A continually evolving program is offered four times a year. Activities
have included abseiling, plane flying lessons, a high rope course, roller
blading, sea kayaking, rowing, tai chi, bushwalks and horseback trail riding.
The program seeks to teach new skills and enhance or revive existing ones
by offering activities which present a physical or intellectual challenge
to a group of people who may in the past have been offered little else but
bowls and bingo.
The courses are offered either free or at low cost and have proven to be
enormously successful. When bookings opened for the 1998 winter program there
were 13,500 enquiries within the first half hour.
The success of the GOLD program is attributed to a several factors, most
importantly the diversity of the activities, the quality of the instruction
and the constant updating of the program. The diversity of the workshops on
offer seems to be attractive to participants. In particular many older women
who have spent their lives raising families now relish controlling their own
leisure time and the opportunity to take part in activities which they had
never dreamt they would be involved in.
The courses on offer are run by independent instructors, volunteers, private
companies and community groups. This allows GOLD to make full use of the sporting
and recreational opportunities which exist in Brisbane. For many of these
providers, GOLD offers a chance to run their activities without any of the
promotion and advertising normally required to inform and motivate adults
of 50 years and older. It also identifies a group who are available to participate
during the day, traditionally a quieter time for many venues and classes.
For a scheme as successful and as well known as GOLD, promotional activity
is surprisingly modest. The courses are advertised in a brochure which is
available from libraries, customer service centres and ward offices, and for
which there is a considerable demand. Although some promotion is also carried
out in newspapers, GOLD’s greatest promotional asset has been through the
word-of-mouth of satisfied participants.
For further information contact:
Staying young in Young (New South Wales)
An identified lack of exercise options for older people and a particular
desire to reduce the incidence of injury or disability resulting from falls
led the SouthEast Regional Health Department to work with Young Community
Health Centre to establish a range of gentle exercise classes.
Previously Young had unsuccessfully held exercise classes for older people.
One of the reasons they failed was that there were too few people to run them,
and classes were often left without an instructor. Having a pool of qualified
instructors expands the number of sessions and ensures the quality and safety
of the classes on offer. Most importantly it ensures the whole scheme is not
dependent on one or two instructors for its success.
It was essential that any instructors used in the scheme were trained to
a high level, as the target group (over 50s, including those with chronic
pain/disability) would be at risk of injury or illness from ill-advised exercise
programs.
Organisers approached the National Association of Gentle Exercise to run
a four-day course. The course is considered the best in Australia in the area
of gentle exercise, and is recommended by the Australian Fitness Accreditation
Council. The emphasis of the course was on the practical teaching of safe
and enjoyable classes. This included the use of chair exercises and chair
dancing for the more physically limited.
The scheme was launched in April 1988 with more than 120 local older people
registering in the first classes. Expressions of interest were sought from
local organisations which were prepared to manage the scheme and run classes
for a minimum of two years in return for grant funds during the first year.
Charges were to be pegged at $2.50 per session and links were to be maintained
with the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments to assist participants
with chronic pain and disability.
The organisers of the scheme have tried to make the classes as accessible
as possible, based on responses received from a survey and a focus group.
Classes are held in the morning in a central location with easy access. A
community bus service is available to transport participants and the cost
of the class includes a cup of tea and a healthy snack.
For further information contact:
Barbara Manwaring
Health Promotion Officer
Young Community Health Centre
PO Box 435 Young NSW 2594
Tel: (02) 6382 1522
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Sir Leslie Morshead War
Veterans’ Home walking track (Australian Capital Territory)
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs provided funding for the establishment
of a purpose built and designed walking track within the grounds of Sir Leslie
Morshead War Veterans’ Home in Canberra.
The walking track was developed to provide residents with a safe, supervised
facility for regular physical exercise, greater social interaction and with
the possibility for friends and families to be involved in the process.
When designing the walking track, consideration was given to the visual appeal
of the track and the safety of frail aged persons with limited mobility, including
residents confined to wheelchairs and those who need the aid of a walking
frame.
It was envisaged that moderate physical activity would be encouraged by a
permanent track of about 500m, in three stages of 170m. Three rest spots provide
convenient stage markers, and come complete with shade, seating and attractive
surrounds. The track is an all-weather pathway of an even gradient, with a
completely smooth surface to reduce the likelihood of falls.
Residents are encouraged to use the walking track regularly, and can easily
measure their own improvement in physical ability, by slowly increasing the
number of stages or circuits they walk, and the amount of times they use the
track in a week.
The walking track has high sustainability as there are no ongoing costs associated
with the project. Sir Leslie Morshead War Veterans’ Home received a nomination
from the National Heart Foundation for an award for the concept of the walking
track, reinforcing the success of this project.
For further information contact:
Margaret Curtin
Chief Executive Officer
Sir Leslie Morshead War Veterans’ Home
Tel: (02) 6248 5026
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Sunshine Coast Regional Men’s Health Program (Queensland)
The ‘Healthy Blokes’ campaign is an initiative of the Sunshine Coast Regional
Men’s Health Program, and has been supported by funding through the Department
of Veterans’ Affairs. The campaign aims to improve men’s health and well-being,
with particular emphasis on the veteran community.
This project aims to increase awareness of possible physical, mental and
emotional problems that male veterans may be susceptible to, through the assessment,
development and implementation of men’s health and well-being programs and
support groups.
There is evidence that men’s health status generally, and male veteran health
particularly, falls behind that of women. It has also been demonstrated that
men have lower levels of participation in preventive health activities such
as screening and early follow-up of symptoms.
The
‘Healthy Blokes’ campaign is addressing these issues by developing programs
to increase awareness of the specific health needs of the male veteran community,
and by networking with various existing male support groups to give male veterans
greater access to the support networks and information they may need.
Activities of the project include addressing the needs of isolated veterans,
developing a regional men’s health network, provision of a prostate health
information and support network, a ‘Healthy Blokes’ expo and Men’s Health
Week, and working with long-term unemployed men.
The ‘Healthy Blokes’ project is currently being developed on the Sunshine
Coast, with the aim of taking the campaign to a national level, if it achieves
a suitable level of success.
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Easy Moves For Active Ageing (South Australia)
Easy Moves for Active Ageing is a physical activity framework produced by
Recreation for Older Adults and funded by the South Australian Government
through the Office for Recreation and Sport. It consists of a chair-based
exercise program and training course. Easy Moves is the result of research
into physical activity and older adults, combined with the knowledge and experience
of leading professionals in the field.
Easy Moves for Active Ageing is designed to provide people working in aged
care with a safe and suitable chair-based exercise program for less active,
older people in either residential care facilities or in the community.
The course was conducted throughout South Australia in 2000 with more than
200 leaders being trained. The participants represented a broad span of those
working in the aged care field, from diversional therapists, paramedics and
physiotherapists to health and fitness professionals.
The course is designed to be delivered to leaders in a training format of
lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions and assessments by health professionals
experienced in the field of aged care.
The course’s well illustrated manual is a clear guide and resource for the
core modules as well as a reference source for related issues. It is designed
to be used only by those who have participated in the training program.
The framework is based on core modules (mobility, strength and balance exercises),
using its Modification and Precaution Guidelines. The focus of the program
is chair-based and standing exercises.
To demonstrate the need for and relevance of the course, core modules are
set within the context of established ageing profiles of populations together
with the active and healthy ageing environments and messages being promoted
by the World Health Organization and governments globally, nationally and
at state levels.
For further information contact:
Pauline Brooks OAM
Executive Officer
Recreation for Older Adults
Tel: (08) 8410 1508
Fax: (08) 8211 7115
email: pbrooks.roa@senet.com.au
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Reachout Program (Tasmania)
Mary's Grange Nursing Home in Hobart, Tasmania, applied for Community Care
Seeding funds in 1997 to set up a program aimed at increasing the participation
of people over 60 in exercise and health promotion activities. The program
sought to enable people living in their own homes in the Kingborough and Hobart
municipalities to maintain their independence and enhance their quality of
life.
The program has changed and evolved as participants express a desire for
a particular activity or lose interest. At present the activities available
include:
- Light n' Easy (once a week)
This program aims to provide activities which are fun as well as being designed
to improve balance, mobility, coordination, strength, circulation and breathing.
Responses from participants surveyed in December 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and
2002 were overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they feel healthier, happier
and more able to participate in other community activities.
The cost of most activities is $4-5 and luncheons are $5. Transport can be
arranged for some activities – gold coin donation.
The number of clients currently attending is 460-600 each month.
For further information contact:
Joyce Batchelor
Tel: (03) 6227 9964
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Centre for Physical Activity
in Ageing (South Australia)
Established in 1981, the Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing offers an
extensive range of physical activity programs designed for older people. The
success of the Centre’s programs lies in the presentation of low cost, readily
accessible, graded physical activity programs within a congenial environment.
Enthusiastic, informed and highly committed staff contribute positively to
the morale of the older clients, which has a favourable effect on their outlook
on life.
The Centre derives its funding from State Government, fees charged to clients
attending preventive health programs, educational courses and workshops, worker’s
compensation rehabilitation programs and public donations. Research funding
is obtained through specific grant applications.
Under the banner of its program name Staying Fit and Healthy, the
Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing conducts numerous exercise programs
for community dwelling participants at all levels of fitness. At present,
over 850 clients attend more than 45 weekly classes including community fitness,
super circuit, stroke fitness, cardiac rehabilitation, learn to swim and water
exercise programs. No age or geographical restrictions exist for the program,
though all classes are specifically designed for the needs of the older adult.
The program has a variety of physical activity classes focused on providing
opportunities for older persons to
- improve or maintain physical fitness,
- increase knowledge about exercise and activity, and
- enhance social interaction.
Classes are carefully graded into one of three specific levels (active, moderate
and slow) which reflect the pace or exertional requirements of the class.
The centre also produces a range of health promotion brochures, which are
made available either through the program or to people making inquiries. The
brochures contain information about the importance of exercise, everyday stretching
and strengthening exercises, tips on walking and exercises to avoid. The information
in the promotional brochures is also available on the Centre’s web site.
For further information contact:
Dr Phil Hamdorf
Head & Chief Exercise Physiologist
Centre for the Physical Activity in Ageing
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
Hampstead Rd
Northfield SA 5085
Tel: (08) 8222 1889
Fax: (08) 8222 1850
Email: phamdorf@hampstead.rah.sa.gov.au
Web site: www.cpaa.sa.gov.au
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Physical activity programs for older Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people
Several areas in Australia conduct physical activity programs specifically
targeted at older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Some of these
programs are described below.
South Australian mature aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physical
awareness seminar
The South Australian Office for Recreation and Sport has recognised that
mature aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are a generation
that is very much still at risk of health and alcohol-related problems as
well as a perceived lack of sporting or recreational opportunities available
to them. This, in turn, leads to problems within the community.
To address this situation, the SA Office for Recreation and Sport has conducted
four seminars with the following aims.
Local speakers came from a range of experts including nutritionists, substance
misuse officers, mental health workers, leisure providers, and local Aboriginal
identities.
For further information contact:
Eugene Warrior
Project Officer
Community Participation Branch
SA Office for Recreation and Sport
Tel: (08) 8416 6736
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Victorian programs for mature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
South West Region (Warrnambool) A walking program is now operating
in the Warrnambool area. It is designed to encourage Koori Elders to participate
as a group and to become more physically active by walking regularly together.
For further information contact:
Kay Alberts
Tel: (03) 5562 9729
Mobile: 0408 357 791
Aboriginal Community Elders Services (Thornbury) This group together
with the Fitzroy Stars Gymnasium conducted an aquatic program for the residents
of ACES, an Indigenous residential care centre.
For further information contact:
Reg Blow
Tel: (03) 9383 4244
Mobile: 0401 223 790
Community Family Day (Lake Condah) This program is held every year
at the Lake Condah Mission site. The Elders play a major role in coordinating
the events with families and friends.
For further information contact:
Gary (Chica) Wingrove
Mobile: 0418 549 443
Australian Capital Territory – Steps to a Healthier Life
A proposal is currently being developed to conduct a program for elderly
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. The program, called 'Steps
to a Healthier Life', will run over six to eight weeks and will cover a range
of topics including:
- breast and prostate cancer
- a light exercise program to follow
- looking after yourself in general, and
- how young people can look after the elderly.
For further information contact:
Joanne Robson or Keith Brandy
ACT Bureau of Sport and Recreation
Tel: (02) 6207 2111
Email: joanne.robson@act.gov.au
or keith.brandy@act.gov.au
More examples
Further examples of successful programs for older Australians can be found
on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s web site at www.health.gov.au/acc/
Many internet
sites provide valuable information on existing programs and means of raising
funds to undertake worthwhile community projects, such as provision of physical
activity programs for older Australians. If you have access to the internet,
trying searching using keywords such as ‘ageing’, ‘older Australians’, ‘grant
providers’, ‘grant programs’, ‘sport and recreation funding’, and ‘veteran
exercise’.
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