OneCare residents bike across the world from the comfort of their home

Key points:

• Motiview Australia is a company with a wide range of videos that are curated to let seniors experience the world’s most beautiful cities and bike through their facility

• The Motiview Commonwealth Winter Championship takes place from February 10 to 21 — encouraging seniors to ride as far as possible

• The Department of Health has recommended that people aged 65 years and over get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days

Residents at a Tasmanian aged care facility could compete in a global championship from the comfort of their own home.

OneCare’s Barossa Park Lodge at Glenorchy is trialling two Motiview bikes, an innovative system that combines adaptable indoor bikes with a video library of cities worldwide.

OneCare Chief Executive Officer Pete Williams said the cycling pilot has quickly gained speed, with residents keen to explore places such as London, Rome and New York.

“Residents are travelling the globe on these bikes, reminiscing and sharing stories about their favourite holidays or visiting landmarks they’ve always wanted to see,” Mr Williams said.

“We’re already seeing increased social connection and the system is motivating residents to stay active.

“Keeping our bodies moving as we get older is hugely important for strength, balance and general quality of life, but finding age-appropriate exercise equipment can be a challenge.”

Harbison CEO David Cochran said the bikes have been a hit with residents at the NSW Southern Highlands facility and had ‘changed residents’ lives.’

“Motiview improves quality of life by reducing boredom, loneliness, and helplessness. Research shows [Motiview bikes] increased physical fitness, [led to] better mental health and more social connection,” he said.

“We have had residents on the verge of needing a walker regain their leg strength and independence, as well as enjoying the enormous benefits from the increased everyday engagement with other residents.”

Harbison residents have competed in the annual Road Worlds for Seniors, an international virtual cycling championship that sees thousands of residents from nursing homes across 10 countries go head-to-head.

An Australian team, ‘Slow Speed Demons,’ from Moss Vale, Harbison, came in second place in the Top 150 rankings. They rode a collective 33,513.8 kilometres in the 2024 competition and proved the competitive spirit was alive among residents at Harbison.

“Our residents have fun competing in teams, setting individual and collective goals and supporting each other during the month-long championship,” Mr Cochran said.

“Staff and volunteers get a kick out of it as well and ask to be involved — in 2024 our support crew won the ‘Crew of the Year’ award for the second time.”

OneCare is aiming to install the bikes in each of its five facilities statewide. While Mr Williams said they’d love to field a Road Worlds for Seniors team, there are also big possibilities closer to home.

“We’re especially excited about the option to include videos of Tasmanian towns, so residents can revisit their old neighbourhoods and take a trip down memory lane,” Mr Williams said.

“That will be really special, particularly for residents with dementia.”

If you could ride a bike through a city of your choosing, where would you go globetrotting? Let the team at Talking Aged Care know and subscribe to the free newsletter for more information, news and updates.

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