Calvary Community Care are undertaking a holistic program for clients to enhance their mobility and social life.
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The program, called Meet and Move, is running for seven weeks and incorporates the Stepping On program run by physiotherapist Rod Hyde-Page from Manning Hospital.
Calvary Community Care deliver a range of aged care, disability and support services that enable independence, improve social connections and promote positive health and well-being.
Most of Calvary Community Care’s clients are on home care packages supporting them to live independently in their own homes.
“Most of them are living alone,” case manager John Bouchet said, “and some are very isolated.”
Additionally, if they are sitting alone at home they can become sedentary.
“Then when they do move, the next thing they have a fall and then they are in hospital for two or three months. And some of them don’t come back home, they end up in nursing homes,” John said.
The Meet and Move program aims to assist the clients become more mobile.
Program participants meet at Club Taree where they have the Stepping On ‘exercise’ session aimed at getting them moving and increasing awareness of obstacles and falls prevention.
Old Bar resident Shirley Bale is enjoying the course.
“I was a bit worried at first because I’ve got a bad back, but I’m finding it very good and I watch what I’m doing with my back,” she said.
“This morning it was really good. I’m pumped!”
The exercise portion of the program is followed by a cooked meal at Club Taree, where John hopes they will get to know each other and form friendships.
Lunch also seems to be part of the exercise program.
“You mention it’s lunchtime and they’re all moving very, very quickly. That’s the quickest I’ve seen any of them of them get up all day,” laughed case manager Levina Smith.
John’s aim is to have a social group which will continue on after the first program is finished, with activities such as Manning River cruises.
He anticipates that Meet and Move will run three or four times a year.
For more information call Calvary Community Care, Taree on 6592 8700 or alternatively email john.bouchet@calvarycare.org.au.