Living Longer Living Stronger in Western Australia. Bettine Heathcote, COTA WA

Transcription

1 Living Longer Living Stronger in Western Australia Bettine Heathcote, COTA WA

2 LLLS WA: By the Numbers Commenced December 2004 Currently over 70 providers state-wide including metropolitan & regional areas Estimated 8,500 people participate weekly Age Breakdowns: y.o 17%, y.o 24%, y.o 43%, 80+y.o. 13%, Other (younger people with disabilities) - 3% 204 instructors trained in last 3 years ( ), 19% regional 611 participant information packs sent in last 15 months (introduced Jan 2011) 1x FT Manager and 1x FT Project & Programs Development Officer STEPS Professional Development 2012 / Slide 2

3 LLLS WA: Key Milestones Introduced tiered health system in 2009/2010 to provide a service to those at risk Tier One Providers Physio/Exercise Physiologists Tier Two Providers Min Cert IV Fitness Professionals, Extra LLLS training Department of Health funding Injury Prevention Branch Falls Prevention 2006-Current Inclusion on the WA Department of Health Model of Care for Osteoporosis, Musculoskeletal Care and Falls Prevention as the Peak community exercise program in WA. Key partnership with Stay On Your Feet WA to disseminate Falls Resources Introduction of LLLS Excellence Awards Dinner in 2009 Introduction of WA Active Ageing Conference 2011 STEPS Professional Development 2012 / Slide 3

4 Success Stories Part 1 Mr John Skudder, 2011 Most Outstanding Achievement by a Participant (Metro) JUST 18 MONTHS AGO, IN FEBRUARY 2010, JOHN SKUDDER SURVIVED A RIGHT-SIDED THALAMIC STROKE AND SPENT TWO MONTHS IN HOSPITAL. HE WAS TOTALLY PARALYSED DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE AND HIS MUSCLES WERE WASTING AWAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR HIMSELF AND HE COULD ONLY SPEAK A FEW WORDS. Slide 4

5 Success Stories Part 2 Mr John Skudder, 2011 Most Outstanding Achievement by a Participant (Metro) THE LIVING LONGER LIVING STRONGER PROGRAM IS IDEAL FOR ME, GETTING AMONGST PEOPLE THAT ARE OF THE SAME VINTAGE AND BEING ALLOWED TO GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. JOHN SKUDDER, 2011 JOHN SUMS UP THE CHANGE LLLS HAS HAD ON HIS LIFE: I HAVE MUCH MORE ENERGY, I AM MORE ALERT, I FEEL VERY FIT, I HAVE GAINED A LOT OF MY MUSCLE BULK IN MY AFFECTED SIDE, I STAY AWAKE MUCH LONGER, I CAN DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN, I HAVE RE-GAINED NEARLY ALL MY ARM AND SHOULDER MOVEMENTS, I AM WALKING GREATER DISTANCE, I AM COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE AT A MORE NORMAL LEVEL. Slide 5

6 Success Stories Part 2 Mr Jon Brien, 2011 Most Outstanding Achievement by a Participant (Regional) JON, 74, HAS BEEN A LLLS PARTICIPANT FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. WHEN HE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE PROGRAM BY HIS WIFE AND DOCTOR HE WAS VERY RELUCTANT. HIS OPINION WAS THEY RE ALL MAD! WHY FIX SOMETHING THAT S NOT BROKE, HE WAS FINE! BUT HE SOON REALIZED HOW MUCH BETTER HE COULD FEEL. HE NOW HAS TWO PROGRAMS HE WORKS FROM (ONE CARDIO AND ONE STRENGTH) AND ATTENDS 6 X PER WEEK, ALSO PARTICIPATING WHEN TRAVELLING TO PERTH. Slide 6

7 LLLS : Community Within a Community Compulsory Social Component provided after each session e.g. morning or afternoon tea/coffee Regular social events e.g. Christmas Parties, Easter Events, Melbourne Cup Found to be a key program for Community Reintegration Results from the 2011 Participant Survey: What do you enjoy most about LLLS? 63% - Seeing my friends, social morning tea. What benefit motivates you most to attend? 42% - Catch up with friends, social interaction. What do you miss most if you don t attend? 78% - Seeing my friends & instructors. Slide 7

8 LLLS : Community Within a Community Two Case Studies from the Participant Survey 58 yo, Male, loss of partner 8 months prior. Invited to Come & try LLLS day by friend. Initial comments Fun, enjoyable and benefits my health After 3 months Feel healthier, I ve made new friends After 12 months I m glad I did this its changed my life! 71 yo, Female, living alone, seeking domestic assistance. Received brochure from assessor, sought referral from GP. Attended once, received phone call from worried participants. It felt wonderful to know someone cared about me. Slide 8

9 Closing Quote I lost my wife in 2007 and proceeded on a downward spiral out of control. I was having a mid-life crisis and felt very depressed. I spoke to a friend every now and then but that didn t really help. I went to the Senior Citz, but that was full of OLD PEOPLE! My Doctor and daughter both recommended Living Longer Living Stronger at the Rec Centre. I never looked back, the combination of exercise and meeting new people SAVED MY LIFE. LLLS Participant*, Harvey *Name withheld due to privacy reasons. Slide 9

10 Federal Minister for Health & Ageing Mark Butler MP, finds out first hand what its all about!! Slide 10

11 I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotard on, the class was over. Slide 11

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