A NEW program developed by a Riverland community group aiming to help local seniors to become more active, healthy and connected will start in the coming months.
The Moorook Hall committee was recently given a $9200 grant through the State Government’s Grants for Seniors program to create a “happy healthy ageing project”.
Committee member Rae Szulawa said the program, which will consist of four eight-week courses, would predominantly service Moorook, Kingston-On-Murray, New Residence and other small surrounding towns.
“All these courses will be free for participants thanks to this grant,” she said. “It is predominantly for over-50s, but, in these small towns, we don’t mind if a few others come along.
“We’ve got a few really great, qualified teachers to deliver the courses as well, and there’ll be a teacher and a facilitator in each group.”
Ms Szulawa said each of the courses – Staying Active, Healthy and Fresh, Getting Connected and photography – would help improve an aspect of health and wellbeing.
“Many seniors have a fear of falling or injury and it decreases their confidence, so if they get good balance, flexibility and strength they can lessen that fear,” she said.
“We are setting up a Staying Active course for that, with outcomes of increased confidence, better ambulating and increased general fitness and wellbeing.
“In the Healthy and Fresh course, participants will gain a greater understanding of the nutritional values of fresh versus processed foods.
“A lot of older people don’t bother cooking for themselves because it’s just for one person, so we want to help them to read and understand things like additives, sugar, salt and preservatives, but also to make educated choices about what to eat for their age, health and wellbeing.
“For Getting Connected, participants will learn to navigate the pathways of the internet, the skills to enable them to maintain contact with people, access services and find entertainment using their phones, laptops and computers.
“In the photography course, we want them to work towards creating a 2022 calendar for themselves or to give to somebody.”
Ms Szulawa said the program would likely begin in late-July or early-August.