A Gerringong-based non-profit organization has launched an initiative to combat loneliness and promote the well-being of senior citizens through a combination of cognitive, physical, and social activities.
Active Mindsteps, founded by Dr. Christa Wood, aims to help senior community members stay younger for longer. Sandra Ruecroft, a spokesperson from the organisation, said these kinds of programs can lessen and delay the effects of aging.
“Our brains are like muscles, the more we use them, the stronger they become,” Ms Ruecroft said.
Taster sessions for the program will be held in Gerringong Town Hall on August 15, 22, and 28, and September 5.
“Sessions will be locally based, flexibly delivered and cover such areas as memory – short and long term – logical and spatial reasoning, concentration and focus, movement and cognition,” Ms Ruecroft said.
Dr Victoria Traynor, a Professor of Aged Care and Dementia at the University of Wollongong, said that the Active Mindsteps program is incredibly valuable in reducing the stigma surrounding dementia as well as preventing or moderating its symptoms.
“It’s targeting all the aspects of health and wellbeing that we know can actually prevent dementia, or at least reduce its impact,” Dr Traynor said.
“It’s absolutely a standout program.”
The inspiration for the organisation stems from an Austrian non-profit called SelbA, which likewise encourages people aged 55 and over to be independent and active. The course, which began 22 years ago, has amassed over 40,000 participants across a range of locations in Austria.
SelbA is providing group leader training for Active Mindsteps later in the year.
“SelbA has been enormously generous in their assistance to Active Mindsteps and this training, which costs participants around €700, will be without cost to the participants in Gerringong,” Ms Ruecroft said.
“Through their generosity, we can stand on their shoulders and progress to spreading Active Mindsteps to an ever-widening set of communities – wherever local volunteers are willing to put their hands up to assist their own communities.
“But before we get too excited about nation-wide Active Mindsteps, we need to start at home. Our special opportunity for volunteers to be trained as group leaders, for free, in October-November is the next vital step following on from the 4 taster sessions.”
To participate in a taster session, volunteer to become a group leader, or learn more about the program contact Active Mindsteps at activemindsteps@gmail.com.