Buderim’s best

After a visit to her specialist three months ago, Mary Wilson was advised to surrender her licence due to her failing eyesight.

“Neverthought of not having a car, never crossed my mind,” explained Mary. “When you can’t go out and get in your car and go where you want to go, it’s like having your arm cut off.” For many older people losing their licence is a harsh reality to face. Research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found a significant increase in depressive disorders, along with reduced cognitive and physical capabilities after losing the ability to drive.

The study also found there was a 51% decrease in the size of their social circles, including friends and relatives. And seniors were five times more likely to move into supported living or a residential care facility.

The belief is that seniors who do not drive start to stay home more often. Home-based activities do not necessarily provide the same amount of exertion or stimuli, leading to a decline in physical and mental capabilities. As the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

To help mitigate the impact on seniors who have had to stop driving, Paul Sutton set up a unique concierge-styled service to help maintain their social connections. He provides a personalized service tailored to the needs of the client. Some may want a reliable transport service to take them to the shopping centre, medical clinic, the airport, or to a social activity. Others may need more assistance and help with shopping or filling out forms. Sometimes having someone to accompany them to and from day surgery for example, or to act as an extra pair of eyes and ears to remember and understand instructions, is very comforting.

If you feel lonely and need some great company, you can call Paul to take you out for a drive, have a meal or grab a coffee and chat. He is there to brighten your day. Whatever it is, Buderim Best is there to assist.

And it’s fair to say, with a charming concierge like Paul at your service, you may just be glad you lost your licence to drive!

CONNECT

PHONE 0493 448 239 EMAIL buderimsbest@gmail.com

HEALTHY SUNSHINE COAST WILL BE BACK IN SPRING 2022!

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular community health and wellbeing programs will be back in late Spring 2022 – just in time for everyone to be reinvigorated after the winter hibernation!

So get rid of those winter woollies, throw on the shorts and shirt, join Healthy Sunshine Coast, and come along to a range of exciting new and affordable health and wellbeing activities across the Sunshine Coast in late Spring 2022.

The Sunshine Coast Council will partner with the local health and wellbeing industry, to offer the Healthy Sunshine Coast program and help foster a happier, healthier, more connected and resilient Sunshine Coast community. The Healthy Sunshine Coast program will emphasise the importance of a healthy lifestyle, where moving well, eating well, sleeping well, thinking well and relating well are considered a regular and normal part of our lives.

The dynamic program will offer a range of affordable health and wellbeing activities in local community facilities and parks for all ages – keep an eye out for details when they are finalised, of starting date and timetable of classes on the Healthy Sunshine Coast webpage and various media outlets.

www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ healthysunshinecoast