Southern Cross Care SA&NT Put the E Firmly Back Into AgEing

Southern Cross Care's “making healthy normal’ mantra continued its rollout with the new Health and Wellness Centre at Onkaparinga Lodge opening its doors officially on the 4th July.

The event, attended by The Mayor of Onkaparinga Lorraine Rosenberg, the City of Onkaparinga’s Compliance Officer, Justin McGrath, Southern Cross Care residents, their families and community members, included a shout out from CEO, Mr Andrew Larpent, to “put the E firmly back into agEing.”

His encouragement is to ensure everyone has the opportunity for exercise and to generate excitement, enthusiasm and energy in this space.

Southern Cross Care's aim is to “make healthy normal”.

No longer a fad, it is well understood by Southern Cross Care that gym programs – or rather health and wellness programs - are not simply for those wanting to increase their muscles; they are very much there for those of us who wish to live a healthier, and perhaps, longer life.

Southern Cross Care CEO, Mr Andrew Larpent, has said, “If you are older person, you have probably grown up with the idea the transition from middle age into “senior citizen” means slowing down. “Take it easy–you’re not as young as you used to be” is a common statement heard. And, when we think ‘gym’, we could be forgiven for conjuring images of very buff, toned and muscular people.”

Southern Cross Care has found:

• 63% of residents feel more energetic and fitter
• 82% feel stronger
• 93% of residents feel their quality of life has improved.
• There has even been a 54% reduction in falls.

Southern Cross Care began rolling out new Health and Wellness Centres across all its residential services in South Australia in 2015. To date they have opened eight. They are now located from Philip Kennedy Centre in Largs Bay, to centrally at Lourdes Valley, The Pines and Bucklands, to further afield in Darwin at Pearl, Bellevue Court in Gawler and Sandpiper down at Goolwa.

Each of Southern Cross Care's new Health and Wellness Centres are fitted with a range of specialised exercise and rehabilitation equipment including recumbent bikes, seated elliptical trainers, handheld and strap on weights, balance boards, parallel bars and chi balls.

The Health and Wellness Centres are led by a team of Southern Cross Care Lifestyle Coordinators who have each completed their Certificate III in Fitness through the Australian Institute of Fitness.

Click here to find out more about Southern Cross Care SA&NT's aged care services.