Community Wellness Day To Showcase The Positive Health Benefits On Offer
integratedliving is hosting a Community Wellness Day to showcase the positive health benefits on offer for older Australians who attend a Wellness Centre by integratedliving®.
The Wellness Centres feature a state-of-the-art Wellness Gym and a range of services, including the Wellness for Independence® programs such as Memory Wellness and Digital Wellness. These services help older people in regional, rural and remote areas live an active and independent life. Across the eight Wellness Centres nationally, more than 700 clients enjoy the positive health outcomes and improvements in strength, balance and general wellbeing that they experience as a member.
In Toowoomba, the Community Wellness Day will be a fun-filled event offering many onsite activities and demonstrations, as well as guest speakers and information about the range of support services integratedliving offers. On the day, thanks to the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation, 20 lucky locals will have the chance to win a six week Wellness Introductory program, designed to improve strength and independence.
Toowoomba Wellness Centre Coordinator, Virginia Bell, is hopeful many members of the community will come along to enjoy the festivities.
“We’ll be showing people how the gym equipment works and how we assess people’s improvement over time. Guests can watch a Stretch and Flow class, as well as enjoy some refreshments. Ballina’s 2018 Senior Citizen of the Year, Lloyd Janssen, will be on hand with his band to entertain guests and we have some really interesting guest speakers lined up.
“Our Wellness Centre provides a hub for older people where they can work with, and be supported by health professionals to really live a healthier and independent life in their own home. Our programs focus on improving strength, balance, fitness and general wellbeing, as well as falls prevention. It’s a welcoming environment that allows people in our local community to establish social connections and new friendships,” said Ms Bell.
With over 100 clients attending the Toowoomba Wellness Centre since it opened in May last year, and just as many inspiring stories of transformed lives, the Community Wellness Day is a great opportunity for people to see how the Wellness Centre could make a positive difference in their own life, or the life of a loved one.
Client, Fred Borchardt, has transformed his life since he commenced at the Wellness Centre by integratedliving® in Toowoomba. After a serious brain and back injury and time spent in a coma, Mr Borchardt was told he’d never walk again and would remain in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But just five and a half months after starting at the Wellness Centre last year, Fred took his first steps.
“I can now walk 30 metres without my walker. My upper body strength has really gotten better too. I’m driving again in my specially adapted car and it has given me so much more independence. I’ve even been camping and fishing again with my sons and last year I cooked Christmas dinner,” said Mr Borchardt.
Research shows that in regional, rural and remote communities, 75 percent of people aren’t getting enough exercise and more than 50 per cent of people have one or more chronic illnesses.
Catherine Daley, integratedliving’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our focus at integratedliving is to provide equitable access to health and wellbeing services to older Australians in rural, regional and remote areas and our Wellness Centre in Toowoomba is helping achieve that.
“Staying mobile and active plays an integral role in remaining independent and healthy as we age. Our Wellness Centres offer a place to participate in physical activities to improve physical and mental wellbeing, while also increasing social connectedness.”
Ms Daley, added: “We hope many within the local community come along to our Community Wellness Day to see how our Wellness Centres can make a difference to their health, wellbeing and independence.”
For more information about the services offered at the Wellness Centre by integratedliving® in Toowoomba, call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 782 896 or email the Toowoomba Wellness Centre team.