New home exercise program to help elderly

A new UQ Sport program which aims to help elderly people exercise in their own homes has been launched by Queensland’s Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP.

UQ Sport is working in partnership with the Home and Community Care Resource Unit from Queensland Health to increase physical activity levels in frail older individuals in the North Brisbane area by improving access to rebateable Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) services.

In the St Lucia area, UQ Sport runs an AEP clinic which offers home visits to patients unable to travel to the University campus.

Project Manager Emma Taylor said improving the opportunities for elderly people to access individualised exercise programs allowed them to live at home for longer and reduced healthcare costs.

“It is well accepted that increasing physical activity in frail/pre-frail older individuals will lead to substantial health benefits and medical savings,” Ms Taylor said.

“However the vast majority of the older population do not obtain sufficient physical activity for health benefits.”

Dr Clare Devlin from the Kedron-Wavell MediCentre said the program was a move in the right direction.

“I think this is an excellent idea and ideally suited for those with chronic illness and limited mobility which would otherwise preclude attendance at exercise sessions elsewhere,” Dr Devlin said.

Once they have received a referral from their GP, clients can start making appointments for home visits through the UQ Inter-Professional Clinics on 07 3346 3241.

Media: Emma Taylor (07) 3346 7969, emmat@uqsport.com.au) or Penny Turland (07 3346 7266, PennyT@uqs.com.au)