Finding freedom in movement

Joni Mitchell wasn’t singing about mobility but she might as well have been when she sang one of the most recognisable lyrics of the 20th century: “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone…”

The ability to move freely and with minimal pain is essential to many of life’s joys. Going for a coffee with friends. Taking a walk in the park. Strolling through an art gallery. Strumming a guitar. And while ‘quality of life’ has many definitions, freedom of movement is an important one.

As we age, illness and injury can inhibit our movement, impacting our mental and emotional health. Many of our Care Communities have an inhouse Wellness Centre, led by physiotherapists and offering personalised programs that support reablement, restorative care and improved mobility. In turn, supporting independent, active lives. 

Person-centred care makes all the difference

Before undergoing any activity in our Wellness Centres, together with our allied health partners Healthcare Australia (HCA) and Concentric, we take the time to understand each resident’s goals, preferences, and history through a comprehensive health consultation. This enables us to create individual treatment plans with the person at the centre. Regular assessments with our physiotherapists mean each person’s program can be adapted as they progress, or as their goals or needs change.

Baheya’s story

Baheya lives at Epping Meadows Care Community. Before she became unwell, Baheya took pride in maintaining her home in the hills of Craigieburn, north of Melbourne. Baheya loved going out with friends, shopping and enjoying a coffee. Cooking was a great joy: preparing Lebanese feasts for her family of four children, 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. 

Baheya’s home is still in the family, cared for by her son. One day, Baheya aims to visit her family home and walk the six steps to the front door unaided. And her personalised reablement program means that goal is in sight.

“Baheya is making wonderful progress,” says HCA physiotherapist, Aman.

“We started with range of motion and strength training exercises to free the movement in her joints and strengthen her muscles. As she gained sufficient range of movement, strength and stamina, we shifted the focus to improving her dynamic balance skills. That involves exercises like shoulder pulley, dumbbells, cycling on the exercise bike, sit-to-stand, gait training with the parallel bars and stair climbing.” 

For Baheya, enjoying the exercise is important and seeing progress is motivating.

“I enjoy my programs at the Wellness Centre,” she says. “It makes me feel good! When I started, I needed the help of two people and a wheelchair to go anywhere but now I can walk to the café with a frame and enjoy a coffee.”

Mobility brings confidence

Movement has given Baheya confidence to engage in the things that bring her joy. Now, she enthusiastically joins Care Community outings to cafes and restaurants with other residents.

“The services that have been provided have Mum walking again, which is amazing as she was unable to walk when she arrived,” says her daughter Zeina. “You can really see the confidence she's gained.”

Another daughter, Alham, says: “Mum’s come such a long way since starting physio sessions at the Wellness Centre. She used to have to use a sling after her fall and now she can walk with a frame. We hope one day she may be able to climb the steps and go home for the day or for an evening.”