Helping older people maintain their independence by managing their physical health is the focus of a new research project involving Bond University Exercise Scientist Associate Professor Justin Keogh.
Dr Keogh is part of a research team developing resources to support older people at risk of losing their independence due to challenges with day-to-day activities such as bathing, dressing, shopping and feeding themselves.
Funded by Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA), their work will empower older people taking part in the government-funded Short Term Restorative Care (STRC) program.
“The eight-week program provides participants with tailored intensive support to work on their mobility, diet, fitness and overall health and wellbeing,” he said.
“But once that eight weeks is over, and the intensive support stops, it can be challenging for people to maintain, let alone continue their progress. It’s a bit like having a personal trainer for eight weeks, and then having to go it alone – it’s very easy to go back to your previous habits.”
That’s where Dr Keogh and the research team come in – they have developed resources including a self-management workbook called My health in my hands which is designed to give people the tools and information to maintain the progress made during the intensive support period.
“It’s challenging when there is a set time limit for the intensive support – people make really good progress and gains when they are getting regular support and guidance.”
“When they go from that to being back on their own we can see them lose that progress. The workbook is aimed at bridging that gap.
“It’s also about building people’s health literacy and helping them understand the ‘why’ of what they are doing and to have control over their health decisions.”
Dr Keogh said building muscle strength and balance often played a key role for those with mobility issues.
“If people are having trouble with walking, a simple solution can be to provide a walking frame or electric scooter to help them get around,” he said.
“But what we know from the research is that this doesn’t necessarily address the underlying issues and can actually cause them to deteriorate further, more quickly.
“Progressive resistance and balance training can help address these issues and give older people improved mobility and allow them to live independently for longer.”
The workbook development is being overseen by healthy ageing expert Dr Tim Henwood, Group Manager Health & Wellness at Southern Cross Care, with Dr Keogh and Associate Professor Paul Swinton from Robert Gordon University as research partners.
