John Todd credits exercising more and socialising to being 100 years young.
He’s been able to get from Bendigo Health’s Fitness for Older Adults Program.
John is able to fit in the class once a week among his other activities.
“I keep pretty active… I still play sport like [lawn] bowls and swim,” he said.
“It’s good for me, it’s the reason I go.”
But it’s not just the exercise that helps keep John going.
“It’s the meeting people, it’s great” he said.
With the help of his son Greg, John is still able to live at home on his farm while still attending all his exercise classes and activities.
Greg said every session has helped his father get back on track after a few health scares a few years ago.
“When I came back to Australia a few years ago, dad was having a lot of falls, he was grossly underweight,” he said.
“We were already working on his diet and I wanted to get him into some fitness programs at the same time, we needed to work on every avenue of his health.
“Between the bowls, hydrotherapy and this program, it’s really made a big difference.”
The Fitness for Older Adults Program aims to help participants with mobility, flexibility, strength and balance through a range of different classes.
Bendigo Health Community Allied Health Services team leader Jess Llewellyn said there were many benefits for participants.
“Staying active assists older people to maintain independence and promotes wellbeing including mental health,” she said.
“There’s increased social interaction and community connectedness, increased motivation to stay active and increased sense of achievement related to goals.
“They also get regular check ins with a health professional including annual reviews completed by an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist.”
But there are also positives for staff too.
“Getting to know clients and their story,” she said.
“You’re also helping clients maintain physical activity and achieve their goals, to help clients self-manage their general health and wellbeing through exercise and education.”
To find out more about the program, visit: Bendigo Health Website - Fitness for Older Adults Program