An innovative combination of group exercise and musical trivia - choreographed to a soundtrack of greatest hits - is empowering Illawarra seniors to feel 'Forever Young'.
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Aged care and disability services provider Feros Care's industry-leading Forever Young program is a 26-week group exercise regime set to music that tests participants' knowledge of songs from the 1920s to the late 1970s.
The program is open to seniors of all fitness levels and abilities - designed to support them to meet the Australian Government's Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults by improving balance, strength, endurance and flexibility.
Physiotherapist and clinical lead at Feros Care, Ben Happ, has been in the creation and development of the Forever Young program, which since its inception has benefited hundreds of seniors in the Illawarra, throughout NSW and Qld.
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Mr Happ said the unique combination of exercise, music and trivia allowed seniors to work out their bodies and minds to improve their 'overall fitness picture'.
"Our seniors exercise to everything from big band music to '60s pop and Australiana," he said.
"Participants sing along during the classes - they really love it and want more of it, to the point where we've had a wait list for some classes. The music is a welcome distraction from exercising for seniors and is no different to plugging in our headphones when we go for a run or head to the gym.
"The quiz component of the classes is a favourite - training seniors' long-term memory and encouraging interaction between participants, so it's also great for socialising."
Mr Happ said first-time participants usually demonstrated 'dramatic improvements' to their agility, leg strength and balance.
He said the ultimate goal was to reduce the risk of falls for seniors, while keeping them living independently in their homes for longer and reducing the burden on residential care facilities and the healthcare and hospital system.
Bev Klingbiel, 83, said the Forever Young program enabled her to overcome setbacks after a number of falls where she sustained significant injuries, including two broken wrists.
"I'm much more active now and I've enjoyed a huge boost to my confidence - I'm stronger and fitter than I have been in a long time," she said. "Day-to-day, things are easier for me now and I'm spending more time in the garden and going for strolls around the neighbourhood - and I don't need to get in the car to go to the shops anymore, I just walk."
The Forever Young program is funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. For more information visit feroscare.com.au/group-exercise.