Arthritis ACT is running a free exercise class everyday to help keep seniors connected to the community. This is a sponsored post. 

ARTHRITIS ACT is running a series of online exercise classes to help seniors stay healthy and connected to the community in lockdown, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“We have a free exercise class everyday at 10am for members and we’ve also got a whole lot of other low-cost exercise programs people can participate in from home,” she says.

“People can jump on Zoom from their computer, mobile or tablet and we’ve got things like chair yoga, tai chi, a meditation and stretching class, line dancing and pilates.

“We’re trialling lots of different things to see what people like.”

Rebecca says the team at Arthritis ACT understands many seniors struggle with technology and that they can help people get set up online if they’re not sure how to themselves.

“We can do a walk through over the phone but even if that doesn’t work we can do quick house visits to help them get connected,” she says.

“After we’ve helped them we find many seniors are then able to use the technology to stay in touch with their friends, family and their grandchildren, which is a really nice additional outcome.”

For those who are in need of seeing a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist in person, Rebecca says Arthritis ACT is also still seeing people for individual appointments.

“The worst thing about the lockdown, particularly for the elderly, is that they are so isolated,” she says.

“We’re trying to keep the community going in a different sort of way until we can come back out of all these restrictions.

“To help with that we also have online support groups running nearly everyday of the week so that people can join and have a chat with others.”

Arthritis ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041, email info@arthritisact.org.au or visit arthritisact.org.au