Exercise is a vital part of staying healthy in both body and mind, and for AQ residential care residents, exercise programs are part of their everyday living experiences.

Physiotherapists Felicity and Vanessa co-ordinate classes with residents of AQ Garden City Aged Care including gym sessions at the AQ Health gym in Upper Mount Gravatt.

“It’s a lot of chair-based exercise classes, with maybe some gentle standing and stretching, marching on the spot and co-ordination exercises,” Vanessa said.

“We also do small muscle co-ordination exercises as well.”

Felicity added the AQ Allied Health teams integrated as much as possible to benefit clients.

“We have found that sometimes our session times cross over with the music therapy time, and the clients love that,” she said.

“They really engage a lot more with the exercises and they enjoy it so much.”

The gym classes offer the latest in exercise equipment and technology. Each class participant has a special wristband, which they can tap onto each machine which then resets according to their personal settings.

“It’s important for us to take a personalised approach to each client,” Vanessa said.

“And the clients love coming to the gym. They often wait for us at the gate, they remember it’s gym day. And we see them sometimes talking to their families on FaceTime saying ‘oh, I’m going to the gym today’.

“We also have their favourite playlists going up on the big screen in the gym and they love that.”

Felicity added the exercise classes and gym sessions were about more than just physical fitness.

“It’s a chance for them to engage with us and with each other,” she said.

“It engages their brain as well as their body. That cognitive stimulation is important – the social aspect of the classes is vital.

“It’s another chance to be part of the community. And let’s face it, exercise is always better in a group setting.

“We get good feedback from their families as well, because the clients talk about the classes.

“It’s something for them to look forward to and having something to look forward to is always important for everyone.”

AQ Health physiotherapists also complete assessments for clients.

“Particularly after people have had a fall, which is very common as you get older,” Vanessa said.

“We see if there’s been a change in mobility and if they need an aid, like a walking stick, or if they need to be in a wheelchair for their own safety, and the safety of staff as well.

“But even our clients in wheelchairs can participate in exercise classes and gym sessions.”

To find out more about your local AQ Residential Care Home, email enquiries@alzqld.org.au or call 1800 639 331.

And to find out more about your local AQ Health services, email aqhealth@alzqld.org.au or call 1800 692 743 today.