8 minute read
HEALTH
EQUINE THERAPY IS GOOD HORSE SENSE
IT’S not quite Mr Ed the talking horse, but even without words, horses are providing a valuable psychological tool in the relatively new field of equine therapy.
Advertisement
Horses move away from negative energy such as anxiety and stress, and will change their behaviour and response, which encourages a client to become calmer and more relaxed.
For Laura Adams, who specialises in equine therapy for over 55s, it brings together two of life’s great interests. She has a background in nursing and psychology counselling and a love of horses, so can effectively take treatment out of the office and into the field.
Based at Landsborough and Eumundi, she says equine therapy is a way of improving day to day living and capacity building. She works beside an equine specialist and together they are making a difference to mental health and wellbeing.
Patients who have suffered trauma, for example, don’t have to discuss or relive their trauma but simply come to understand the value of being calm when approaching the horse.
“We watch the relationship unfold between horse and human, it’s such a powerful connection,” Laura says. “We provide an enriching experience in the field with our horses.”
Equine therapy is now recognised in some aged care packages and is proving beneficial for those who suffer mental health issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, and PTSD as well as those with mobility problems, vision impairment and dementia – or simply loneliness.
Bernie LeSeur (pictured) was a warrant officer who did two tours of Vietnam and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and leadership under fire and the OAM. He always had a
World class cardiac care on the Sunshine Coast
connection with horses and the 85-yearold now enjoys coming to the sessions, finding it provides a meaningful activity as well as social connection.
“He had little sense of purpose but with previous experience working with horses and a love of animals, the equine therapy has helped him to reconnect,” Laura says. “It helps immensely with getting them to leave the home space, gaining a sense of purpose, and being able to engage with family members and increase conversations.”
She has also found that noncommunicative clients have started to use more words and get sentences together while they are in the equine space. Mobility improves and the vision impaired can still have connection too.
Laura says it doesn’t make any difference if someone has had experience with horses when they were younger or had never been near them.
“It’s about building trust and a relationship on the ground with the horses and the therapist, and this then translates into other areas of life, and the things that affect quality of life as we age,” she said.
Sessions are one hour usually once a week, or more depending on goals and capacity. Referrals are by word of mouth, the NDIS, aged care providers and support workers. Call Laura 0402 990 508. ONCE upon a time, when it was common to have a chat with the neighbour over the back fence or to meet up at the Senior Citizens Centre, CWA or church groups, the subject of loneliness seldom came up.
It’s now a different story, and one highlighted during the isolation of the Covid lockdowns.
“Loneliness is as bad for health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is as important as the food we eat, and yet it remains an often-overlooked part of aged care,” says Inclusee CEO Rachael Cook.
“You’d never dream of not feeding somebody but not everybody understands that loneliness really is bad for you.”
And that’s why an organisation that has its roots in a seniors centre offering activities such as ballroom dancing and arts and crafts in 1976, now takes a full-blown 21st century approach to keeping people connected – digitally.
And although dancing has been replaced by devices, the result is the same. Inclusee, now a national leader in tackling loneliness through digital connection, is entirely focused on reducing social isolation.
“Social connection can be delivered
Every specialty of cardiology is covered by our team, making Heart HQ the only practice on the Sunshine Coast to offer a full and comprehensive range of Cardiology services.
Our team of Cardiologists are supported by Sonographers, Cardiac Physiologists, Cardiac Nurses and support staff.
To find out how we can help support your heart health, and to discover more about the comprehensive range of tests and procedures that we can offer, call our friendly team.
07 5414 1100
hearthq.com.au
in any way,” Rachael says. “Loneliness is a condition that is situational and can be experienced even if you are surrounded by people.”
Inclusee’s Connect2One program involves allocating a volunteer “visitor” to a participant aged 65-plus or 50-plus for First Nations people for a regular conversation.
They meet online, one-on-one every week, usually for one or two hours, although this can be extended, to talk about anything that comes to mind, whether it’s hobbies, memories or musings.
Or as Rachael describes it, “think a chat with a neighbour over the back fence, an old school conversation between friends.”
But there’s nothing old-school about Inclusee’s approach.
“The participant lets us know what they want such as cultural needs, language, gender and interests,” Rachael says. “They might, for example, say that prefer a lady who is older with an interest in gardens and books. We get a good understanding of what is wanted in a friend and put them together with a volunteer.”
There is a database of volunteers, all of whom have had background checks, to find the perfect match.
Volunteers, aged 18-90, come from a broad demographic and diverse backgrounds from around Australia.
Participants receive a tablet on loan that has been programmed so they can chat at the push a button. The device is already connected to the internet and set up ready to go and if there’s no internet handy, there’s a SIM to do the job.
It’s kept simple, but there is also a weekly Learn2Tech digital mentoring program for those keen to learn more – how to send photos, talk and Skype to family and friends, and do online shopping.
There’s also a Connect2You virtual community centre where participants and volunteers can drop in for a chat whenever it suits and the latest is Interest2Enjoy, where groups with common interests meet.
A club of about four or more people can be created for anything that might interest them – books, armchair travel, pets, trivia. Google maps and videos add to the experience.
Inclusee is happy to hear from anyone who would like to take part. It already has more than 300 participants and that’s growing.
“The only stumbling block has been letting people know that there’s a free program where they can tune in for a chat,” Rachael says. Visit inclusee.org.au or call 1800 287 687 THE second annual Queensland Seniors Month is coming up, having grown over the past 62 years from a nine-day week to a month-long celebration.
Connecting Queenslanders through inclusive events and activities, Seniors Month brings people of all ages, cultures, and abilities together, uniting them through shared interests and passions.
It is also an opportunity to discover new programs and activities, and support services.
Beginning on October 1, the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, Queensland’s Seniors Month will include National Grandparents Day, on October 30.
“Our continued theme of Social Connections remains relevant as these connections are essential at any age.” COTA Queensland’s Seniors Month Coordinator Lisa Hodgkinson said.
“A great variety of events will be on offer in the Sunshine Coast region.”
Food is at the top of the list of activities that connect us, and social isolation will be tackled one fork at a time with Queensland’s Largest Sunday Roast on October 16.
The aim is to bring Queensland together to enjoy a Sunday Roast on the same day, with households of people of all ages sitting down to a big meal and sharing stories of life, culture, and creativity regardless of physical and language barriers.
One in three seniors and one in two teenagers have reported feeling lonely and with more than 880,000 seniors in Queensland – one in three of them living alone – that’s a lot who may be feeling lonely.
The Largest Sunday Roast is an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family who may have been isolated, hosting a Sunday Roast any way you like – at home with family and friends, at the local park with the community, or at a participating restaurant.
Invite older friends and family, reach out to your neighbours and get together on October 16 to create Queensland’s Largest Sunday Roast.
Register your intention to participate and help COTA measure if it’s making a difference. Visit qldseniorsmonth.org.au or call 1300 738 348.
10 years of rehabilitation results
Experience Nambour Selangor Private Hospital Rehabilitation’s team, technology and track record.
Reconditioning, pain management, orthopaedic, neurological, and more. Holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Inpatient, day programs, and by appointment. Ask your GP for a referral or call 07 5459 7455 to learn more.
