Innovation in Service Awarded to Southern Cross Care Health & Wellness Centres

Southern Cross Care SA & NT’s Health & Wellness Centres have been recognised for their Innovation in Service at the Aged & Community Services (ACS) Awards in South Australia.

Southern Cross Care SA & NT has been implementing Health & Wellness Centres (gyms) in their residential aged care homes. The centres are coordinated by qualified fitness coordinators and aim to improve/regain people’s strength and fitness.

Kate Kameniar, who headed up the Health & Wellness Centre implementation said, “Well done and thank you to everyone at Southern Cross Care. It's wonderful to be part of such an inspiring, creative and hardworking team who are bringing the Health & Wellness Centres to life and lovely for this to be recognised by the industry.”

Tony Piccolo MP said, “The Light Electorate is fortunate to have a number of high quality retirement villages and aged care homes. It was no surprise to see to see one of the local providers Southern Cross Care SA & NT winning at the Aged & Community Service SA & NT Inc 2016 Awards of Excellence.“

Southern Cross Care SA & NT’s focus is to promote quality of life for their residents through healthy ageing interventions that support their physical health, social relationships, psychological and spiritual well-being.

Person-centred planning is also used to get to know what is important to each resident, to identify their desires and goals, and then to select appropriate health promoting activities and opportunities to meet these needs.

With an average of 200 visits per week across the first six centres, 90% of the residents attending said their quality of life has improved since they started attending and 86% reported feeling stronger.

Andrew Larpent, Southern Cross Care’s CEO said, “Initial results have been nothing short of outstanding and demand from residents has far surpassed our expectations. The organisation has been averaging more than 200 attendances per week across all 6 centres. Once residents see the positive impact of the recovery and exercise programs on their physical and mental health, they really become engaged with the process.”

The response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive with most sites increasing their opening hours to cope with demand.

Southern Cross Care’s Lifestyle - Fitness Instructor at The Pines, Barbara Gutte said, “Determination and inspiration are the driving force for those who participate. There are those who have set a pace and this is helping others to follow. Residents have changed. Yes, they have become stronger, but more importantly for me is they are happier. And this is where I see the beauty of the centres, this is the holistic aspect. Self-esteem and self-worth is being built, friendships formed and previously challenging, difficult residents have softened. Yes, they still have their own uniqueness but the edges have been softened.”

Due to the overwhelming popularity and success of the Health & Wellness Centres, Southern Cross Care SA & NT aim to open nine more centres within the next 12 months.

Click here to find out more about Southern Cross Care’s aged care services.