BARRY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

ECH Wellness client Barry knows the importance of keeping active.

A former physical education teacher and later fitness advisor for 13 years to the Richmond VFL Football Club in the late-1960s and early-1970s, fitness was his daily bread.

Throw into the mix Victorian and National athletics championship wins and the role as Head of Education and Sport at the South Australian Education Department, and it’s easy to see Barry has had a long and rich career tied to physical activity.

So, after Barry had a fall and fractured his femur at the end of last year, he knew it was necessary to lean on some extra support from ECH to get back on his feet.

When he returned home from a hospital stay and rehabilitation, Barry was admitted to a Transitional Care Package (TCP) receiving support from an ECH Occupational Therapist, Nurse and Physiotherapist, visiting at home as well as in the Henley Beach Wellness Centre.

Now, Barry is on a Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and visits the Henley Beach Wellness Centre for weekly physio sessions with ECH Physiotherapist Laveena to improve his mobility, balance and strength.

“I need to improve the strength in my legs and my exercises are doing that. They are absolutely required and beneficial,” he says.

“In the beginning, there was an exercise I found quite challenging - sitting in the chair, crossing my arms and standing up while not holding anything - but that is getting easier to do. I’ve definitely seen improvement.”

During his half-hour sessions, Barry also rides the immobile bike, does leg presses, step ups, sideway walking, upper arm stretches on a machine and with rubber stretch bands as well as lifts axel bar weights.

Working closely with Barry, Laveena has seen his confidence grow.

“Barry was very weak when he first started in November, but now he is a different person and he has improved immensely,” Laveena says.

“It’s been a long journey for Barry, but he’s been patient and hardworking.

“He has achieved progress, goals and functions, but now it’s about maintaining them. With a client like Barry, I have no doubt he’ll continue to do the work required to get the results.”

If you would like to learn more about ECH Wellness Services, visit ech.asn.au/wellness