Elders Café: the New Heart Beat at Pearl

There was a sea of smiling faces at the Ocean Café at Southern Cross Care SA & NT Pearl Supported Care, as the launches of a number of exciting endeavours were celebrated.

The Health & Wellness Centre was officially opened and blessed, the new Strength for Life program was announced and the Ocean Café roller blinds donation from Elders was officially acknowledged.

Brother Peter Sheldon commended Southern Cross Care SA & NT for the new Health & Wellness Centre and remarked how it is a positive step for everyone and will lead residents to healthier lives and offer a safe and healthy place for our ageing community.

Southern Cross Care's Health & Wellness Centres are coordinated by qualified fitness coordinators providing individualised fitness programs. These programs are aimed at improving residents’ strength, fitness and general wellbeing and are part of an organisation-wide focus on promoting quality of life for all residents. This is achieved through healthy ageing interventions, supporting their physical health, social relationships, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

Resident John Wheatley, who has already started a routine of twice weekly exercises, spoke with encouragement to others about the Health & Wellness Centre. He said, he first rejected the idea of a gym, but says how wrong he was – as he now looks forward to it immensely!

And as Brother Peter Sheldon said, “Healthy exercise and human interaction combined; what a blessing for our residents.”

Southern Cross Care's Strength for Life programs were also launched. This program is available to anyone over the age of 50, who simply want to remain as fit and as healthy as possible.  

Jeanette from COTA explained the service offerings and encouraged everyone to take part in an assessment, especially if balance was getting you down. She said it was "a good option for anyone who needed a bit more confidence or self-esteem, or help with their inner core muscles."

The day also involved the unveiling of the brand new roller shutters installed at the on-site café.

Elders Real Estate generously donated almost $2500 for the purchase and installation of the roller shutters. Christine explained that she had a very personal story behind the donation:

“In early March 2015, my mother had a bad fall and broke her hip and there was nothing the doctors could do for her due to her age. I remained by her bedside 24x7 for 12 days until I saw her take her last breath, it was absolutely horrific to see her go, but her journey on earth had to eventually come to an end. During those last few years, being involved with the carers, I realised there are some very unfortunate older people in need of constant help and especially caring.”

When asked who she wanted to donate the Elders charity money to, she couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than those who look after our older Australians.

Christine said, “When I had the opportunity to choose which organisation I would like to support (from the Elders Real Estate Sales Team), I chose Pearl Residential. The Elders team give-up part of their earnings to cover such costs, as the “Elders Motto” is to, give back to the community in small ways when and where possible.”

It was Karen, Pearl's Lifestyle Coordinator who suggested they would love a shutter for their Café.

For the residents it's a lovely area to meet socially as well as see the outside world and do something by means of getting out of their rooms and enjoying other people’s company in a safe, joyful environment.

Karen said, “It goes with our philosophy of keeping people social – like the kitchen is at the heart of the house, our café will become the heart of our home. They can come and go, and enjoy each other’s company.”

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

More information about Volunteering for Southern Cross Care can be found here: southerncrosscare.com.au/volunteering