May 31, 2012
Orana resident Grace Singleton could hardly be described as a water baby. In fact the 92-year-old can’t swim and is afraid of water … but that hasn’t stopped her from taking up hydrotherapy with a passion.
Grace, and a bunch of other residents from Kingaroy’s Orana Lutheran Complex, regularly take a dip in the pursuit of movement, mobility and strength.
Hydrotherapy involves using water to help improve physical movement and function. It’s also used to treat diseases such as arthritis.
Cardio Central owner Layla Gordon has instructed the group since February.
“I love working with the older people because it is challenging and there’s a spark in their eye,” she said.
“One lady initially felt scared but regardless she got in every week.”
That “one lady” was Grace, who has always lived beside the water but was afraid of learning to swim.
For many years she lived in Weston-super-Mare, a seaside resort in Somerset, England, but that didn’t tempt her to learn to swim.
During World War II she joined the RAF and packed parachutes as part of the war effort – but she still didn’t learn how to swim.
Even after she migrated to Australia, the beach life didn’t appeal to Grace. But she now appreciates the benefits of hydrotherapy.
“I felt scared (of getting in) but it was something to do and I thought I would try it after all,” she said.
“It turned out good and I hung onto the railing.”
Layla said some of the benefits of hydrotherapy included relieving pain and muscle spasms, increasing flexibility, strength and tolerance through exercise.
“The water makes it achievable for the older people to exercise because the water carries their body weight so it is not as laborious and creates resistance,” she said.
Hydrotherapy sessions are held at the Kingaroy Pool and also at the South Burnett Aquatic Centre in Nanango.
“We start with things like squats which they can mimic outside of the water to help with tasks like getting out of a chair that are essential to their everyday lives,” Layla said.
Layla’s motto is “if you don’t use it you lose it”.
“I want to be as agile as I can as I get older,” she said. “It’s never too late to start.”
Orana Manager Richard Fahy said exercise helped residents maintain good health and quality of life.
“The role of exercise and nutrition is paramount to assisting older Queenslanders to maintain their independence and good health as they age,” he said.
“We have a range of exercise programs available to our residents including chair aerobics, which includes activities like doing dolphin kicks, trying to sit on the chair without leaning on the back of it and running on the spot without moving but through lifting their legs.”
[Photomontage by southburnett.com.au]
