Lewis Short Wins the Active Ager of the Year Award

To celebrate Active Ageing Week, a competition was launched to find South Australia's Active Ager of the Year.

The 2015 winners of the competition were Thelma Pope, aged 105 and Lewis Short, aged 89.

Many truly inspirational stories emerged as nominations were received from aged care facilities throughout South Australia.

‘These older Australians epitomise the ideals of active ageing and are a tremendous example to us all. In fact, they put many of us who are decades younger to shame’, said Simon Drew in announcing the competition winners.

With so many strong nominations, the panel decided to announce joint winners of the inaugural competition.

Lewis Short, aged 89, lives at Bucklands Southern Cross Care in North Plympton. 

Less than a year ago, Lewis spent all his time in bed, showing little interest in social events or other activities at Bucklands. However, with a lot of encouragement from the Allied Health Team, Lewis got involved in the active ageing program and started walking again.

Unfortunately, he had a fall early in the process and suffered a fractured pelvis, but undeterred by this, Lewis continued his walking and gym programs and is now able to walk longer distances and participate in a large range of activities at Bucklands.

Staff report he now has a smile on his face and has won his life back again as a result of his hard work in active ageing. 

Click here to find out more about Southern Cross Care SA & NT Inc.