Have you been thinking about ways to stay healthy this year? Here are three good habits for you to consider.

1. Staying active

It’s important to keep moving as we age, to encourage the circulation of blood and oxygen around our bodies. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring, demanding or expensive- it can be fun! Here are a few suggestions: 

• Walking – this may not be so easy for some people but even a nice walk around the garden, a nature walk with your carer, or a walk to the shops can be beneficial.
• Sit to stand exercises - simple exercises like sitting and standing up from a chair are excellent to build important muscle and help prevent falls. Just try a few ‘sit to stands’ at first and build up over time.
• Water aerobics – join a group class where you do gentle exercise in water, which is less stressful on muscles and joints.
• Tai Chi & Qi Gong – these movements, inspired by martial arts, are excellent for improving strength and balance.
• Chair yoga – another gentle exercise focused on breathing, stretching and working on individual muscles. Chair yoga improves strength, flexibility and balance and helps maintain cognitive skills.

If you need assistance with supervising or planning physical exercise, then please contact your Care Manager for more support.

2. Eating well

Our food habits may change over time. You may no longer feel like eating big meals, or at conventional mealtimes. There are some excellent meal delivery services now available which can be accessed through your Home Care Package. Why not ask your Care Manager about it? 

We encourage a ‘fresh is best’ approach and have published a range of award-winning cookbooks to help people at different stages of their lives to eat well to stay well. 

3. Be creative

Research by our HammondCare Centre for Positive Ageing has shown that art activities improve physical and mental health, helping to overcome social isolation, and improving mental wellbeing by providing opportunities for new friendships. 

Your local Social Club is a great place to learn about creative activities and to connect with others. Speak to your Care Manager about participating clubs that coordinate local activities and programs.

Attendance of HammondCare Social Clubs are available for anyone with Commonwealth Home Support Program funding or a Home Care Package. Contact us to find out more on 1800 826 166. 

You might also want to consider the opportunity of being partnered with a Volunteer in your area to meet with or share hobbies together. Once again, to explore this, please contact your Care Manager.