Kilts and Bagpipes the Secret to Falls Prevention at Warrigal

In April, the “Bravehearts” took on their rivals the “G-RAM-Pies” in the inaugural “Southern Highlands Games”. Taking inspiration from the Scottish namesake, residents competed in 5 athletic competitions including a kettlebell relay, a heavy rope pull, a sit to stand relay, an upper limb pedal sprint and a weighted ball toss. More than 30 competitors aged into their 90’s represented Warrigal aged care homes from Bundanoon and Goulburn.

On the morning of the event, the Goulburn G-RAM-Pies boarded the bus with excitement and anticipation. There was something special in the air. Supporters and family members had travelled from all over to see the athletes compete. Competition was close with the G-RAM-Pies taking the initial lead in the first half, with an impressive display of teamwork in their kettlebell carries. It was the afternoon where the Bravehearts brought it home securing the win with strong displays in the pedal sprints and weighted ball toss.

Phil 65, who had a stroke a year ago and has been learning to walk again said “I’ve been training in the gym for this for weeks but I nearly pulled out a couple of weeks ago as the nerves got the better of me. But I’ve had such a great day, it’s made all the gym time worthwhile”. Phil received the ‘Spirit of the Games’ medal for his displays of ‘strength, confidence and enjoyment’.

Margaret 87, now branded a ‘local celebrity’ after her morning discussion with ABC news also added “I struggle with gripping the equipment due to my arthritis but I won’t let that get me down”. She then went on to win her heat in heavy rope pull.

The games concept was developed to inspire residents to commit to exercise programs and improve their overall health and wellbeing. All residents were encouraged to participate, with competitors completing an 8-week structured training program to prepare them for the day. The wellness team found that balance, mobility and cardio-respiratory measures had all improved for many of the participants during the training process. As well as significant improvements in resident’s mood and attitudes, indicating the immense health benefits of regular exercise.

Guide Healthcare and Warrigal Bundanoon Physiotherapist Dan Weissel, who was a key driving force behind the competition commented “Whilst our aim was to achieve better health outcomes for residents through exercise, we were particularly pleased with the significant reduction in falls rates following our initiative. Our recent data from QPS Benchmarking has highlighted a 47.8% reduction in overall falls rates. As well as achieving a 79% reduction in falls in our dementia specific unit.”

Falls offer a unique challenge to residential aged care. In the next 12 months, approximately 50% of residents living in aged care are likely to experience at least one fall with many experiencing multiple. It is currently estimated that between 22-60% of older people suffer injuries from falls which can result in prolonged morbidity and occasional death. Even in the absence of injury, falls often lead to an ongoing fear of falling which can result in a kind of “post-fall syndrome” - a loss of confidence, hesitancy, tentativeness with resultant loss of mobility and independence. This has a profound impact on an older person’s mental health and overall quality of life. In the residential aged care setting, this leads to increased care needs and dependence on staff.

Whilst there’s no doubt that the games provided inspiration and motivation to residents, physiotherapist Dan noted that “it was the consistency and types of exercises which made all the difference. Our training programs were heavily focused on the latest evidence on falls preventative exercises. In particular, the “Sunbeam Program” by Jenny Hewitt, who found that falls could be reduced in the residential aged care population by more than 50% through regular strengthening and dynamic balance exercises”. 

Dan plans to continue to achieve reductions in falls through an ongoing focus on exercise, rehabilitation and reablement. The Wellness team at Warrigal Bundanoon, which consists of a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and 2 allied health assistants, are now running 4 high level strength and balance exercise groups each week. These sessions incorporate the use of typically gym-based equipment such as kettlebells, barbells, combat ropes, medicine balls and height adjustable steps. They are challenging balance through activities like boxing, floor ladder walks, hurdle stepping and reaction drills and have initiated specific exercise groups for residence who are experiencing cognitive decline.

There’s no doubt that exercise makes us feel good, no matter what age we are. Importantly, it can also keep us on our feet. Initiatives such as the Southern Highlands Games have the capacity to achieve significant cultural shifts towards embracing physical activity and exercise within aged care communities. As a result, homes can achieve similar levels of success in preventing falls and keeping residents safe.

About Guide Healthcare

Guide Healthcare is an allied health team with an innovative approach to aged care service delivery. Guide is dedicated to providing new opportunities for aged care residents to meet their core values of innovation, social justice and empowerment. The Southern Highlands Games epitomises this dedication.