Seniors ‘walk around Australia’

Queensland aged care residents are taking their first steps on a 20,000 trek around Australia – without even leaving the neighbourhood.

The virtual ‘Walk Around Australia’ program will kick off on 25 January, and will take the Nundah residents from the east coast to the tip of Darwin encouraging residents, relatives and staff to keep mobile and active.

Zion Lutheran Home residents’ steps will be plotted on a map of Australia to record their progress during their weekly walking group to put a spring in their step and lead healthier lives and working toward individual fitness goals.

Zion resident, Jenni Pye, is looking forward to the adventure of exploring unfamiliar territories from Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain to our outback terrain.

“I joined [the walking group] for the company and I enjoy it. I also like the exercise,” Ms Pye says.

Participants walk paths mapped out by staff which earns points per metre. Staff then add up and combine the totals and a line on their big Australia map inches forward.

Zion Lutheran Home physiotherapist, Sally Thomas, who supports the initiative, will help Zion Lutheran Home residents clock up the miles each Tuesday and Thursday morning.

“Exercise is the be all and end all. It assists bone density, muscle mass, joint flexibility, respiratory function, circulation,  stimulates appetite, assists bladder and bowel function, [and] vitamin D absorption… and [these] are a few of the benefits,” Ms Thomas says.

Zion Lutheran Home volunteer coordinator, Sharon Moulday, says exercise, companionship and being outdoors is pivotal to residents’ wellbeing.

“It is seeing the residents light up as soon as we are outside and there’s a significant change as soon as they feel the breeze – the sunlight and blue skies lighten them up,” she says.

“We will exchange stories about the books they are reading, reminisce about their lives and how things have changed. Walking brings together young and old.”

The ‘Walk Around Australia’ program was conceived by an aged care service in Victoria to positively support people with dementia. It has now spread to other aged care services around Australia.

Zion Lutheran Home manager, Maria Mulheran, says staying healthy and active is vital for residents to enjoy the quality of their life.

“Our residents are pursuing a healthy life which supports the mind, body and soul and they will reap the rewards of feeling great,” Ms Mulheran says.

People interested in becoming a volunteer and supporting the walking group can contact Sharon Moulday on (07) 3266 5911.