Alex Miller has a bounce in his step and a twinkle in his eye. For a good reason! He’s packed away his walking stick and pain killers and is feeling better than he has in years!
It’s Men’s Health Week and time to shine a man-sized torch on our male customers who are keeping fit and well and thoroughly enjoying life.
Like 76-year-old retired truck mechanic Alex. When he first hobbled into the Wellness Centre and AgeWell Gym at the Uniting AgeWell Community Hub in Berwick, he was at the end of his tether.
He has a bulging disk and arthritis in his lower back and his mobility levels were decreasing as fast as his pain levels were increasing. He couldn’t turn over in bed at night, struggled to get up from the chair and was unsteady even with a walking stick.
“The doctor suggested I have cortisone injections and the topic of surgery had even come up,” explains Alex. “I thought ‘no way – there has got to be another option.”
The Endeavour Hills resident was in the process of being assessed for his eligibility for a home care package. While working with a Uniting AgeWell Care Advisor, the topic of help around the house and garden was discussed – as was the option of Alex going to the AgeWell Gym for specialist care to help with his back.
Alex agreed to give it a go – and has never looked back.
“It’s all wear and tear,” the Scots-born Alex explains. “I used to work as a tank mechanic when I was in the Armed Forces in Western Australia. Then when I moved to Melbourne, I became a truck mechanic. I was always under and on top of big haul trucks, it takes its toll on the body after a while.”
Alex attributes being pain-free and mobile again to the AgeWell Gym team. “They worked out an individual exercise program especially for me and every session I could feel myself getting stronger,” he says. “Honestly, coming here every week is the best thing I’ve done. The one-on-one sessions mean they really listen to what you need and what your goals are, and then just work on making it all happen.”
He's now loving pottering around the garden, goes for walks and feels like a different man.
However, there’s one more goal Alex wants to achieve. “My wife Gillian has arthritis in her knees and uses a walker,” he explains. “I plan on getting her to the gym. If they can work wonders on me, they can work wonders on her.”
Uniting AgeWell Exercise Physiologist Beth Tobin says painful backs are very common among clients. “We all love working with clients and witnessing their progression. Being in pain is exhausting and can have a detrimental effect on day-to-day living. Once a client’s pain reduces and their mobility increases, they are able to do the things they enjoy doing and their mental wellbeing improves too.”
The Burwood East, Berwick and Rosny Park Community Hubs are the latest Community Hubs including Wellness Centres to open.
The Hubs bring together multi-disciplinary teams from across home care and community services. Having staff under one roof means teams can collaborate more effectively, offering customers a full, wrap-around service that is responsive to what they need, when they need it.
The Community Hubs provide varying opportunities for customers to connect socially, including formal classes and education sessions and informal spaces with couches to relax and enjoy a cuppa and a chat.
Jo Agnelli, Director of Home Care, says this is Uniting AgeWell’s first physical presence in Berwick. “Casey is a huge growth area when it comes to aged care,” she says, “and the Community Hub will meet these demands.”
The AgeWell Gyms combine specialised equipment with the support and expertise of allied health professionals to provide an experience suited for all abilities and goals. They offer exercise programs and rehabilitation in tandem with Allied Health Services such as podiatry and occupational therapy.
Director AgeWell Centres Clare Irvine says the move to Wellness Centres in the Community Hub has really revolutionised the way we approach aged care.
“What is exciting about the rollout of the Community Hubs with their Wellness Centres and AgeWell Gyms, is that we are moving away from the old style of “caring” where we fix problems. Instead, we are offering preventative pathways, so people focus on their health earlier.”
Clare is particularly pleased with the customer lounges – a feature of the Wellness Centres – and their popularity with regular customers. The lounges were designed in response to customer feedback and are being used to meet up with fellow customers and have a coffee, reflecting the true meaning of a community hub. Yoga classes are a new introduction to the program and are increasing in popularity.
Clare is buoyed by the success of the centres to date. “We’re offering a lot more than simply a gym. We have allied health and wellness opportunities, our client lounges and education sessions and have just launched AgeWell Active Online sessions. Offering so many services creates referrals across the board as we offer a holistic approach and a one stop shop for our customers.”
Learn more about Uniting AgeWell Community Hubs and AgeWell Active Online sessions