2 minute read
Innovative rehabilitation program improves resident health and wellbeing
IN-HOUSE GYM FEATURES IN NEW HOMESTYLE AGED CARE HOME
In March 2022, Homestyle Aged Care opened the doors to its new home Sunset Views Manor, located in Melbourne’s booming outer western suburbs in Tarneit. This adds to Homestyle’s portfolio of 11 homes located in metropolitan Melbourne and the Geelong-Surf Coast region—and its quality care offerings.
Sunset Views Manor features an innovative small house design, with 15 to 18 residents living in self-contained but connected homes. This includes one home exclusively for people living with dementia. The staffing model supports the design, with dedicated staff in each home, allowing staff and residents to form strong relationships. Sunset Views Manor is Homestyle’s second home to offer an award-winning rehabilitation program, provided by Concentric Healthcare Services, with a specially designed on-site gym. The concept has been successfully pioneered at our Rowville Manor home, which opened in early 2020.
Concentric’s rehabilitation packages are tailored to each individual resident to achieve outcomes such as increased social participation, increased strength, mobility and balance, and most importantly the program is proven to decrease functional decline. Our Rehabilitation Centres provide leading physiotherapy and allied health solutions with expertise and first class care to each of our participating residents.
At our Rowville Manor home, 84-year-old resident Pat used to sit in her room all day and knit and wouldn’t engage with anyone or anything. Pat lives with dementia and was set in her routine, choosing not to join in any programs because of the sensory overload. With great care, Pat began her rehabilitation program with gentle walks and exercises in her room. Slowly over time she was integrated into the group exercise program. Within two months Pat was not only lifting two kilogram weights, riding a bike and walking the treadmill, she also took up totem tennis. This rekindled her enjoyment and happy memories of playing and watching tennis. Nowadays Pat can be seen knitting on a swisse ball bouncing up and down. She has a new lease of life, even recently taking up Pilates.
Homestyle’s philosophy of holistic care maximises independence by building on individuals’ strengths and capabilities. The Rehabilitation Centre at Sunset Views Manor will be open to the public and will be offered as an additional service to residents of the home, with a choice of Standard and Premium wellness packages available.
Homestyle CEO Tim Humphries says, “We aim to challenge the notion of inevitable physical decline in the elderly. To quote.
“We understand the importance of a person’s past, their present experience and their future hopes.
“We believe our new home in Tarneit is not only innovative in the age services industry, but it’s programs support stronger seniors, and the benefits of this will be proven in our residents’ function, balance, mobility, strength and cognition, which in turn will support their social engagement in the community.
“We look forward to welcoming more Concentric fully serviced gyms into our other homes in the coming years.”
84-year-old Pat has gained a new zeal for life through Homestyle’s rehabilitation program.
