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Thelma Pope, 105, Awarded Active Ager of the Year

on Monday, November 16, 2015

Thelma Pope, at the age of 105, lives and breathes wellness and fitness. Her positive outlook and enthusiasm for life is contagious to all she meets. It has also granted the inaugural award of South Australia’s Active Ager of the Year.

Thelma, who lives at ACH Group Kapara, sets goals for herself that include daily walks and gym attendance and this has enabled her to maintain an active lifestyle into her second century of life.

She continues to participate in many activities at Kapara and attends weekly outings with her family to concerts, museums and family events as well as regular bus and shopping trips. Thelma is a great role model for other residents at Kapara and is living proof that age is no barrier to a healthy and active life.

“Keeping active brings a lot of benefits to my health, but more than that, I am never bored. I go for walks down the Esplanade and I walk to the grocery shops. I always find something to do,” she said.

“I don’t make excuses either. Even when the weather is cold and windy, I will go out anyway. I am a ‘do it yourself’ person and I believe that you have to give it a go before you say you can’t do something. I also eat healthy and have never been to a fast food place either. More people should exercise and be willing to sweat. Age is all in your mind and it should not limit people to do what they love.”

ACH Group has recently been recognised at this year’s Better Practice Awards, with its residential early intervention in aged care acknowledged by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

The award recognised ACH Group’s commitment to rehabilitation and early intervention by creating a partnership between residents and staff.

Interventions include tailored goals that are developed in consultation with the resident and incorporate individual choice and preferences. They aim to promote physical activity and/or sensory stimulation while encouraging healthy life choices. Results from a review of residents on an early intervention pathway in the last 12 months indicate that 89% are still walking.

ACH Group has eight residential aged care facilities that are home to over 680 older people.

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