Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today launched a new program aimed at improving the lives of many frail and older people in Brisbane by boosting their health and wellbeing.
Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Strengthening Aged Care home visits program based in and around St Lucia was a partnership with the Bligh and Rudd Governments’ Home and Community Care (HACC) program and UQ Sport.
“UQ Sport and HACC developed this project to give older and frail Queenslanders more independence and ease the burden on the health system by improving their fitness levels and overall health,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Accredited exercise physiologists will visit the homes of eligible frail and older people up to five times for free in St Lucia and surrounding suburbs to develop suitable exercise programs and monitor their progress.
“These visits and exercise programs will increase participants’ physical activity levels, mobility and fitness which will lead to an improvement in their overall health.
“In the longer term, this can decrease participants’ medical and community care costs, while increasing the likelihood of them staying in their own home for longer,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Queensland Health has provided $111,048 towards the project.
Ms Palaszczuk said it was widely recognised that increasing physical activity in frail and older people led to substantial health benefits and medical savings.
“The issue is that the vast majority of our older population does not have sufficient support to practice a physical and healthy lifestyle,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This project will help to address this shortfall.
“I’m particularly pleased that the program is home-based as it makes it easier for frail and older people to access the program and maintain a level of independence in their own home and community.
“I encourage HACC service providers and medical practitioners to promote this program to their clients,” she said.
For further information regarding the Strengthening Aged Care Project, please contact Emma Taylor at UQ Sport or visit www.uqsport.com.au/strengthening-aged-care-project
For more information on how the Department of Communities is making a difference for people with a disability, people with a mental illness, or people who are ageing;
visit: - www.disability.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Lisa Taylor 3237 1944 or 0488 741 689
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