AusLeisure

An innovative south east Queensland-based gym program is getting seniors out of bed after injury and back into an active lifestyle.

The specialised program is being rolled out to Churches of Christ Care’s residential aged care services at Mitchelton, Bribie Island and Stanthorpe and new developments at Boonah, Caloundra and Warwick.

It follows the success of an 18 month trial at Churches of Christ Care’s Buckingham Gardens Aged Care Service in Alexandra Hills.

Bryan Mason, Director of Seniors and Supported Living for Churches of Christ Care, explains “it’s quite common after a stroke, sickness or a fall that requires bed rest for a person’s muscles to decline.

“Our physiotherapists are giving people back their independence by designing specialised exercise programs that work in with this rehabilitation-specific equipment.”

Dubbed Buck’s Gym, the dedicated exercise room at Alexandra Hills has seniors in mind.

The equipment from Finnish company HUR has extra padding and rather than traditional weights, machines all work on air-pressure.

Physiotherapist Craig Wilson explained “most gym equipment only allows a five kilogram change in weight. These weights can be set at 100 gram increments, which is safe and gentle and means no muscle fatigue the next day.”

In consultation with a physiotherapist, users are issued a swipe card with their personalised exercise program. That card then slots into any machine, automatically setting the weight and number of repetitions they can safely lift. It also keeps a record of their regime and progress meaning an accurate review of results.

Mason added “one lady came here from hospital, told she would never walk again. The physios started her off on a light exercise program, then got her in the gym. After a couple of months she stood up on her own and walked.

“Another resident, post cancer treatment wasn’t able to lift a cup. After time in the gym lifting weights, the 86-year old has now put on muscle and increased his strength by 900%.”

The Buck’s Gym program has had an uplifting effect on the positive wellbeing of both staff and residents according to Mason, who concludes “we are inspired by these results. The more uplift we can bring to a person, the less they are thinking about the things they can’t do and more about the things they can.”

7th October 2016 - SENIORS GYM SEES IMPROVEMENTS IN STRENGTH AND BALANCE

30th September 2015 - INCLUSIVE SINGAPORE GYM CATERS FOR USERS WITH DISABILITIES

30th March 2015 - WARWICK STADIUM MOVES FORWARD WITH NEW BRAND IDENTITY AND EXPANSION PLANS

29th November 2014 - PHYSIOLOGIST WARNS EXERCISE OR FACE RAPID DECLINING HEALTH IN OLD AGE

7th October 2016 - SENIORS GYM SEES IMPROVEMENTS IN STRENGTH AND BALANCE

30th September 2015 - INCLUSIVE SINGAPORE GYM CATERS FOR USERS WITH DISABILITIES

29th November 2014 - PHYSIOLOGIST WARNS EXERCISE OR FACE RAPID DECLINING HEALTH IN OLD AGE

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