Warramunda Aged Care staff and residents are embracing this year’s Victoria Seniors Festival theme, ‘Explore. Engage. Evolve’ with open arms through their programs for both the mind and body.
With a proud 60-year history, Warramunda staff remain dedicated to providing personalised, person-centred care respecting each elder's unique needs and preferences.
As Warramunda’s physiotherapist, Shanna Delos Santos takes a holistic approach, designing programs that keep residents physically active and mentally sharp.
Seniors enjoy various engaging activities, from morning group exercises and leisurely afternoon walks to stimulating trivia sessions, designed to strengthen both body and mind.
“They’ve got strength exercises (like) resistance, balance and co-ordination exercises,” she said.
Miss Delos Santos also helps those who are having trouble with mobility or finding pain.
She finds satisfaction in seeing progress residents make, often surpassing their own expectations and regaining independence.
“You’ll hear a resident talking to their family and saying, ‘I used to have this massive back pain, but there’s no pain any more’ and it’s really nice to hear,” she said.
During morning trivia sessions, residents exercise their minds by tackling a wide range of topics, from Elvis Presley's music to Australian native flora, keeping their cognitive skills sharp and engaged.
Miss Delos Santos said it’s important for residents to work the brain as well as the body so that they stay engaged with the world around them.
“Half of them never used to come out of their room, but after starting trivia we have seen more getting engaged, interacting with other residents, and making friends — and that’s when we know that we’re doing our job right.”
For information about Warramunda aged and disability care, phone 5852 2611. Warramunda is located at 5 Warramunda Dve, Kyabram.