Aged care residents celebrate ageing and record success
The importance of keeping social, busy and active in aged care to maintain health and wellbeing has not been forgotten by aged care provider Lifeview Residential Care who have been well and truly keeping their residents busy with a number of new initiatives and events.
Recently the provider has supported residents of Lifeview Argyle Court aged care home to take on a world record challenge, while also celebrating ageing with a number of residents and special guest Dementia Australia Ambassador Ita Buttrose as part of its annual Positive Ageing Celebration – Lifeview’s Strictly Dancing.
The Positive Ageing Celebration – which saw over 250 people including residents, family and friends and special guest attend a dinner dance put on in their honour – was labelled a “success” by the provider.
Ms Buttrose’s presence and address on her experiences and thoughts on positive ageing was well received by all in attendance – as was her meeting and greeting, chatting and picture-taking with many of the residents.
Resident Allen Husson says he was “honoured” to have met and chatted to Ms Buttrose, who he has admired from afar for many years.
“She was wonderful, gracious and interested in what we are doing,” he says.
“To meet an Australian legend is something I will remember for a very long time.”
Lifeview Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Madeline Gall adds to Mr Husson’s excitement saying, “to have Ita Buttrose attend this annual event is not only a great endorsement for our Positive Ageing Celebration but to have someone of her calibre, who is a shining light when it comes to ageing positively, and who lends her name to so many worthwhile causes present, is a huge privilege.”
The excitement shared by those participating in the Positive Ageing Celebration could almost be matched by that of the residents of Argyle Court who worked hard to break the Australian record for the longest line of pom-poms.
Residents outdid themselves, exceeding their original attempt of 7,777 pom-poms by completing a whopping 10,000, to beat the previous record of 6,977.
The new Australian record now sits at 10,359 pom-poms, stretching 348.4 metres.
The official count of the 10,000 handmade pom-poms was conducted by The Australian Book of Records (TABOR) adjudicators who confirmed the record and presented residents with their certificate of achievement.
Ms Gall shared her pride in the residents’ efforts.
“It’s a wonderful achievement and the residents should be very proud of themselves,” she says.
“Art and craft activities, like this one, are a great way for all residents and staff to get involved and have a common goal.
“They have worked extremely hard so it’s very rewarding to see that their hardwork has paid off.”