Radio takes residents back in time

Residents of Queensland’s Blue Care Alkira Aged Care facility at Toogoolawah are stepping back in time with a radio station which gives them their own weekly show. 

Blue Care diversional therapist, Elaine Voigt, said community radio station Valley FM 95.9 broadcasts the Alkira Radio Club Hour once a week, playing requests from residents, volunteers and staff.

“Ten residents are actively involved and they make requests on behalf of other residents, as well as the volunteers and staff of Alkira and retirement unit residents,” Ms Voigt said.

“Two of the radio presenters also visit Alkira once a month to talk to residents, and bring a laptop to access the radio’s broad database of music.”

Ms Voigt said the radio program brought many benefits to residents, and allowed less mobile people to maintain their involvement in the community.

“Residents enjoy having a choice and a say in what the radio station plays, and it helps to stimulate memory recall as music helps people to reminisce,” she said.

“Residents hear their names mentioned and it’s special for people to have a song played especially for them.

“There is a lot of variety in the music requested.  A lot of the songs are country, there’s some opera, some German songs, modern music and songs from the 1930s and 40s.”

Ms Voigt has her own radio show with the station too, and residents have also started suggesting songs for her to play, as well as providing her with information to share about the artists.

The Alkira Radio Club Hour runs from 9am to 10am on Tuesday mornings for anyone who would like to tune in.