“My inherited genes and these exercises keep me living at home,” says 92-year-old Elaine Houston as she works up a rhythmic speed on the exercise bicycle. 

She’s doing her weekly work-out at the Wellness Centre and AgeWell Gym at the Uniting AgeWell Community Hub in Berwick while explaining how she still manages to live safely and well at her Oakleigh home. 

“I’ve been with Uniting AgeWell gyms for 22 years now, first at the Oakleigh Centre which has now closed of course, and now here.  These HUR machines exercise every part of my body, and the AgeWell Gym team helps me concentrate on what’s most important – my balance and my stamina.  They really push me to make my muscles work!” 

Living in her home of 66-years is very important to her.  “I love every nook and cranny of my house,” Elaine explains.  “I also know exactly where everything is, which is pretty important when you are legally blind like me.” 

Elaine has dry macular degeneration in both eyes and uses hearing aids, but apart from that declares she is as “fit as a fiddle” and intends to stay that way. 

“I go for walks around the block at home too,” she says.  “I don’t use a walker or anything.” 

The retired primary school teacher still cooks for herself and enjoys listening to audio books and music.  “I used to love going to watch the ballet and to art galleries but obviously I can’t do that anymore as I can’t drive and can’t catch public transport.” 

Elaine is very proud of her family and is close to her three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

The Burwood East and Berwick are the latest Community Hubs including Wellness Centres to open.   

The Community 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 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 current 50-plus staff based on the first floor serve both home care and CHSP clients, while the ground floor houses Allied Health services and consulting rooms and the AgeWell Gym.   

The 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.  

Listen to The Ageing Ideal podcast episode 6 “Strong at any age”.