With almost 60 per cent of Australians over 65 not reaching suggested exercise guidelines, residents at Ingenia Gardens Marsden are keeping their body healthy as they age through a dedicated exercise program.

The exercise program is delivered by Sapphire Living (part of the myHomecare Group) as part of the Ingenia Connect program, which is designed to support residents in Ingenia’s communities to live independently for longer, by proactively connecting them to key services and support.

With the help of Sapphire Living’s Gentle Exercise Program and a personal exercise program prepared by a dedicated physiotherapist, Ingenia Gardens resident and stroke survivor Janice Cormick has been conquering her mobility issues though exercise.

Ms Cormick, who moved to Ingenia Gardens Marsden with her husband Bernie after suffering a stroke while travelling across Australia, said the program has had a significant impact on her life, allowing her to go about her day with less pain and greater ease.

“After my stroke I had a limited range of motion on my left side limbs and I could not lift my left arm above my shoulder or head,” Ms Cormick said.

“I can now lift my arm above my head with ease and do the daily tasks such as hanging out the washing and making my bed, which I wasn’t able to do previously.”

Ms Cormick continues to improve her mobility through the weekly classes and practises the exercises she has learnt through the program with her husband Bernie at home.

The number of Australians accessing home care services tripled in the decade from 20102 demonstrating the need to do more to support senior Australians’ health and wellbeing.

Ingenia Communities Portfolio Manager for Ingenia Gardens and Ingenia Connect, Madonna Jackson, said that the Ingenia Connect program continues to grow as it looks for ways to further support the 14,000 residents living across Ingenia’s communities.

“We’re always looking at ways to help deliver more for our residents, given health and wellbeing is paramount to people as they age,” Ms Jackson said.

“Ingenia Connect builds relationships with local health and community services to tailor care and support to individuals, removing the need for residents to find services themselves.

“Cases such as Janice’s are great examples of the success our care and support services can provide, and I’m really excited to see what we can achieve this year with our key partners such as the myHomecare Group.”

The myHomecare Group’s Queensland Business Development Manager Rhiannon Koplick said the relationship with Ingenia Connect and the wider Ingenia group is one that they are very proud to be a part of.

“Our team are committed to helping older Australians live better so that they can remain in their own homes, feeling safe, happy, and supported, which we know is a goal also shared by Ingenia Connect,” Ms Koplick said.

“When your values align and the common goal is to ensure clients are provided with quality care and support, it makes it very easy to share ideas and work together to achieve positive outcomes for our clients.”