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Let’s Get Physical, Physical!

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Heart Week is May 2nd – 8th and is held every year to raise awareness about the importance of heart health. With one Australian suffering from a heart attack or stroke every four minutes and heart disease still the leading cause of death, it is a timely reminder that regular exercise is a key factor in reducing heart disease. 

The first step anyone can take to get moving is getting started. The good news is that you do not need to do it alone and having a home care agency such as Home Care Assistance can help you or your loved one. From incorporating physical activity into your daily routine with light exercise and outdoor activity through to travel assistance to senior exercise classes and/ or physiotherapy appointments. 

At Home Care Assistance our Balanced Care Method™ is a holistic approach to healthy longevity based on an evidence-based program. Our Care Workers are trained in this methodology to focus on physical exercise, healthy nutrition, cognitive stimulation, social engagement, and a purposeful and calm lifestyle with in-home care. With only a third of our life span determined by our genetics, and two-thirds determined by lifestyle factors, it’s never too late to get moving and change the heart disease statistics. 

What are the benefits of moving?

Physical activity is essential to healthy ageing as it helps prevent or delay risk of disease. Not only are you less likely to have a heart attack or develop heart disease as the result of regular physical activity, but you are also likely to experience the following benefits:

  • Strengthen muscle tone and bone density
  • Improve balance and mobility, thus reducing risk of falls
  • Improve digestive functioning
  • Physically and mentally feel lighter
  • Improve blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Prevent risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease

How much physical activity do you need?

Whilst the benefits are clear, the hardest part is often getting started. More than half of all Australians aren’t active enough so remember that incorporating just some physical activity into your or your loved one’s everyday life is always better than if you do nothing at all. 

Older Australians aged 65 years and older are advised by the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines, to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days. There are many effective ways to exercise in the comfort and safety of your home from using a chair to sit and complete exercises to standing and holding onto furniture to going for a walk. There are many ways to improve your cardiovascular fitness just within your own home and garden.

Chronic health conditions may impact your ability to meet the above recommendations but just be as active as your abilities and health conditions allow you to be. Speak to your Home Care Assistance Care Worker as they are here to help you with in-home care, as we know exercising is always easier when supported by a companion or professional. 

Tips on how to start exercising

  1. Always start small and slow and gradually build up over time.
  2. Make exercising enjoyable by trying new things and finding the activities you like.
  3. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing to promote activity. Take every opportunity to move your body every day. Incorporate balance and flexibility exercises into your routine.
  4. Consider physiotherapy especially when recovering from an injury or if you’re nervous to start increasing your mobility. Your Home Care Assistance Care Worker can help organise physiotherapy and transport you to and from your appointments. Click here to read our Physiotherapy article. 
  5. Exercise with friends, consider attending a local exercise class, or council leisure centre for seniors in:
  • Water aerobics
  • Tai Chi
  • Yoga
  • Walking
  • Cycling

Remember to prioritise being active as it can make your life, or that of a loved one, better and you’ll enjoy the benefits for the rest of your life. Simply moving more every day is one of the best habits you can have. Don’t feel disheartened if you are feeling anxious about incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle. At Home Care Assistance we are experts in helping improve the lifestyle of those ageing in place, by incorporating physical activity to reduce you or your loved one’s risk of heart disease. 

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get moving today and positively help change Australia’s statistics on heart disease!

References:
https://www.heartfoundation.org.au

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    As a leading age care provider, Home Care Assistance offers tailored in-home care services for older Australians, enabling them to live happier and healthier lives in the comfort of their own homes. 

    We offer private and government subsidised Care Packages and have office locations that are a registered NDIS provider. Our Care Workers undergo extensive training in order to deliver unmatched in-home aged care services where people can continue ageing in place. We are proud ambassadors of the My Aged Care government funded aged care program, enabling Australians to successfully navigate the process and gain approval for in-home care support packages. Home Care Assistance offers hourly care, specialised care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, hospital to home care, and 24 hour in home care.

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    “Home Care Assistance are the true definition of higher class care. The team at HCA listened to our needs and we weren’t just another customer. Our carer arrives on time every time and helps with the... difficult tasks like cleaning and washing. The carer also takes us shopping so we don’t have to think about driving to the shops anymore. Thank you HCA, we don’t worry about how we will live at home anymore.”read more
    My husband had two major strokes 6 years ago which turned our lives upside down over night. two years ago we were given the opportunity to look for a provider to help us make life easier at home for... my husband. We choose a provider and had them for two years. I can't tell express enough of how that ended up causing us so much stress and anxiety as they were in this business for the wrong reasons, very money orientated as fees were astronomical and the service was equally as bad. My husband even had a bad accident on his scooter where he could of been killed at Helensvale and some low life also stole his mobile phone while he was on the ground so he could not contact anyone but not even a word from my provider to say how sorry they were to hear that, it meant nothing, like I said just in it for the money. After two years I had had enough and found a provider by the name of Home Care Assistance. We have only been with them for one month and already it has made a huge difference to our lives, the stress levels are manageable now as they are absolutely in this business of caring for the elderly and disabled for the RIGHT reasons, they have been nothing but professional, kind and caring and they actually listen to what our needs are even though they are sometimes of the chart, but what counts is that it is to make my husbands life better, he is the one who was unlucky in life to have this happen to a very kind soul at a young age. We needed help and now we have it. The director of this company Michelle and our client advisor Jourdan have been the best and I can honestly say to anyone out there looking for a provider, as there are many, don't look any further than Home Care. If anyone would like to speak to me personally, pls get in touch with HomeCare as I will gladly tell u our story and how important it is that when tragedy strikes and you are a mess, you really need that help and support. I can't thank Home Care enough for everything in such a short time. I feel blessed to have found them.read more
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    My carer Beccy was perfectly matched to my needs. Michelle & Jourdan are always helpful & I couldn't live comfortably at home without the care from Home Care Assistance Gold Coast.
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    I looked long and thoroughly before I selected a care provider for my husband who has dementia. Being with Home Care Assistance for almost a year, has confirmed all my expectations. And more.As a... carer I feel very supported by David and Meg. They are always available by phone or email, and this means a lot. But perhaps the best quality of their organisation is the high calibre and personalised choice of all the care givers they have provided for us - whether it be someone to spend time with my husband or someone to slash our overgrown yard.I have no hesitation in recommending Home Care Assistance - and, indeed, have already done so.Pamela Payneread more
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    Best Home Care Agency in South East Melbourne!Friendly ,Reliable, trusting in looking after your loved one.
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    The whole team at Home Care Assist are amazing. I can't begin to tell you how much help Geoff Doherty was to me when I was trying to navigate the Aged Care process. The Coffs Harbour team led by... Rachael, who is a wonderful caring and helpful manager, is an absolute gem. My every need is taken into consideration and the staff employed to do the actual caring/cleaning are second to none. Nothing is too much trouble. I need Physio and Hydrotherapy services and Emily, who is also a absolute gem always pays the providers promptly and they are very grateful for that. I would highly recommend this service to anyone looking for Caring, Compassionate, timely and reliable care.read more
    I have changed the company who provided care for my mother to Home Care Assistance who are based at the Gold Coast. With the previous company I had 40 different carers over 3 years and now have the... same carer 5 days a week. My mother was with the same big company for 20 years. I requested they send the same carer on certain days but really did not care about my mothers or my needs. When someone is blind and deaf they do not need a carer coming into the house who has not been here before.The carers with Home Care Assistance are paid a better hourly rate than the previous company and their admin costs are far cheaper and now saving $600 a month which can now give me more hours.If you have elderly parents looking to change from the BIG providers give them a call. Michelle and Jourdan have been great to deal with and very caring.I highly recommend this company.They have carers looking for work and need more clients to make the transfer.read more
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    Jourdan and Michelle and their team have been fantastic. I have no idea how i would have gotten thru the last 8 months without them to be there for my mother. I live overseas and have relied on them... to be the main support team for my mother ( who has not been the easiest of customers ) . Through it all they have been amazing- so professional and responsive. Easy to contact and provided great updates so i knew exactly what was going on. Mom loved them - you will tooread more
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    Home Care Assistance North Coast has really put the CARE back into my aged care experience for my mother.Right from the beginning communication with management (David and Meg) has been excellent... with all of my requests and questions answered patiently, promptly and cheerfully.Due to Home Care Assistance's policy of tender care my mother has had hand massages, foot baths and massages, diversional therapy involving music and art, poetry and encouraging Mum to interact positively.Domestic tasks are attended to cheerfully.Blue ribbon service and red carpet treatment for their valued clients. Highly recommended!read more
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    Lovely staff
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    At the beginning of this year I interviewed several care companies searching for help with my mum who is totally dependant every day.Mum was quite resistant to the idea of having strangers coming in... to her home, she felt very uncomfortable, but I was desperate at the same timefeeling guilty. When speaking with Jourdan as we discussed HCA & theirpolicies, prices, priorities I felt that this was the right company for my mum & I. The interest in my mums needs & her fears were clearly important, which put me at ease making this new journey a little easier.From the 7th March we have received excellent care. Whatever we asked for has been received. The carers who attend to my mum are perfectly matched to her needs, she now feels safe, very comfortable & well cared for, she is also looking forward to their visits. The services we require are cleaning, meals, companionship & most of all friendliness. All of these are of a high standard. Mum & I are very grateful to all at Home Care Assistance Gold Coast. Glenis & Normaread more
    Very happy with this Company looking after my Home Care Package. Very friendly staff and always available to arrange things. Also the home care and help in garden is excellent and I couldn't do... without them.read more
    Would recommend to everyone
    Happy Christmas to Jourdan my home care manager and thank you so very much for all the help and care you've shown over the year I've been with GCHA, very happy with my home care package and how... you've gone over and above many times for me. Much appreciated, have a super new year, catch up with you then. Blessings to you and yours (:-read more
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    In November I was looking for a New Provider for my package.Fortunately I found HOME CARE ASSISTANCE in SOUTHPORT Qld.Immediately after my phone call MISCHELLE,and JOURDAN VisitedMy home to... explain the care I needed,and immediately everythingWas put into place.My Care Givers are of First class help to me,Highly qualified and have allRelevant TRAINING. FIRST AID-CPR-and Police checks are currentAlso INSURANCE.I am just so Happy with the service,also Quality and Love, given by allStaff.THANK YOU Home CAre Assistance. All my problems are now solvedAnd this is a major relief for my HEALTHI would RECOMMEND your Company to Anyone. THANKS AGAINread more
    A thank you to the team at Hone Care Assistance from the Gold Coast, for taking extrodinary measures to look after my parents. A well organised and professional manner, thank you again..
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    Highly recommend.
    Homecare assistance is a high quality company run by friendly and highly qualified faces, I could not recommend the company enough to those who need it
    So blessed. Such a wonderful team to take care of me, keeping my life simple and enabling the very best I could wish for. Thank you, Meg and Dave!
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