Older & Bolder_Feature_April25

Getting

THE MOST out of

life in retirement

Top tips for staying active Kylie Knight

Mobility, balance and strength are key for older people in maintaining independence and being able to continue the activities they enjoy.

Exercise programs designed for seniors, including aqua aerobics, are helpful as are daily walks and other activities which move the body and stimulate the mind.

There are many options across the Redcliffe Peninsula and plenty of beautiful places to take a stroll.

We popped into the Active Seniors class at Active Sisters’ Margate studio to chat to Angie Barth and Sami Fisher about what they do and how the program is helping participants.

“We teach functional fitness, which includes cardio conditioning, strength and resistance, balance and mobility training. As trainers, we also love to throw in fun warm-up games and dance moves to the sisters’ favourite ‘60s music,” Angie explains.

She says the goal is to help participants ‘train for life’ – working on mobility and balance to maintain their independence.

Sami says exercise is also important in preventing falls, building bone density, and improving heart health, mental health and social connections.

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Keep moving Join a fitness class or consult a personal trainer Give water aerobics a try – it takes pressure off joints Do simple exercises at home Go for a walk each day or as often as you can

“The ladies who come to these classes then head for a coffee and chat. They always welcome new people, they love the fact it's group fitness, calling themselves ‘twisted sisters’ always laughing and having a good time. These classes have become their own community,” she says.

“We have seen so much improvement over 12 months with the ladies’ overall fitness and confidence.”

Active Seniors classes cater to varying levels of fitness and abilities, modifying exercises to suit participants’ needs.

“No matter your age or ability don't be afraid to start,” Angie says.

“It helps people find new confidence in their abilities and stay independent. Life doesn't have to stop when you hit a certain age,” Sami adds.

We chatted with Robyn, Trish

and Donna who have been attending the classes, twice a week, for the past year.

Robyn says: “I needed some exercise. I went through a bad series of illnesses for a while and consequently didn’t get around very much, so lost all the fitness I used to have.

“It’s got me moving a bit better. My balance is really getting better, which is good.

“We all get on pretty well. We have a good time, so it’s nice for us all socially.”

Trish says: “I think our balance was the worst … I find that I’m much better with balance now than I used to be. You’ve got to work on it.

“The boxing part (is also good) … getting the co-ordination. I think improving core strength has been really good for me.

There’s lots of advantages.”

Donna says: “I have MS, so it helps to keep my mobility. If I’m

not moving, I stop which most people do but it’s worse with MS. “It is helping keep me on my feet and with my balance. The social aspect is really important for me.”

Her exercise physiologist says her mobility has improved in every aspect by a considerable amount as a result.

“I’ve taken 10 seconds off one of my walks. For me, that was good because I was going backwards,” Donna says. “With MS, it’s very rare to go forward.”

Angie and Sami say they have learnt how to modify exercises to suit someone with MS, since having Donna in their classes.

“I am limited compared to the other ladies, but no one judges, no one cares … they’re all happy to be here and we’re all here for the same reason,” Donna says.

Holistic approach to home care

To find out more visit mshomecare.com.au or phone 1300 888 256

The team at Mark & Sylvie's Home Care is dedicated to supporting older Redcliffe locals who wish to live at home.

Based at The Redcliffe Uniting Church Community Hub, Mark & Sylvie's goes beyond the traditional ‘service’ model by understanding their clients' needs and values, then bringing together professionals from different walks of life to help make living at home as

enjoyable as possible.

Dr Floyd Gomes founded the service in 2022, naming it after his parents who immigrated to Australia from India with $200 and four young children in 1983.

Their resilience, hard work, and dedication to caring for their family inspired him to create a home care service that truly puts people first. While the company itself is more recent, the values that drive it stem

from this rich family history.

“We focus on building a supportive circle around our clients. This means we bring together compassionate carers, nurses, allied health professionals (like occupational therapists and physiotherapists), and GPs, all working in sync,” he explains.

“This ensures transparent communication, a holistic approach to care and ultimately better outcomes.”

Mark and Sylvie’s Home Care provides a range of home care services, including: • Personal Care: Assistance with daily living activities such as showering, dressing, and mobility.

• Domestic Assistance: Help with household tasks like cleaning, laundry and meal preparation.

• Transport: Assistance with getting to appointments, social outings and other activities.

• Nursing: medications, wound dressings and other medical needs.

• Gardening and Home Maintenance: Ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.

• Allied Health Services: Access to occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals.

• NDIS Support: Registered NDIS provider with NDIS plan management and delivery.

“This integrated care model also enhances quality of life by focusing on companionship, social support, and promoting independence, which helps older people maintain a sense of purpose and joy,” he says.

“Furthermore, it reduces stress for families, who gain peace of mind knowing their loved ones receive comprehensive and coordinated care, and who are kept informed and involved in the care planning process.

"Clients and families appreciate the compassion and shown by our Care Manager Wendy Vaughan, carers and the rest of the team."

HOLISTIC HORIZONS SUPPORT SERVICES

a world of possibilities

Special Feature

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Perfect place to retire in style Life begins at 50! The 2021 Census reveals the median age for residents on the Redcliffe Peninsula is 52 years old, compared with the median for Queensland at 38.

Enjoying the coastal lifestyle, these empty nesters have found their Nirvana. Relaxing options are unlimited - walking, aerobics, sailing from dawn, fish and chips at the beach or fine dining as the sun disappears below the horizon.

Situated only 45 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, 35 minutes to the domestic and international airports, the Peninsula also provides easy access to Moreton Island.

Ray White Scarborough’s Mary Di Marco says over 50s are securing their piece of paradise.

Want to know more?

Jo Szulc 0412 195 577 Mary Di Marco 0438 054 227

“They are buyers looking to begin the next chapter of their lives, after children have moved out. They are established in their career paths and looking to relax, while planning for their long-term future and looking for amenities which include medical facilities,” she says.

“They want public transport, restaurants and the ability to move into either a luxury home, apartment or a more modest unit. These properties need to provide wide doorways, ramps

for future liveability, lifts in apartments and a community to which they can belong.”

Ray White Scarborough’s Jo Szulc says the Peninsula offers varied options including luxury apartments, retirement villages, units or townhouses.

“Many families have raised their kids in the northern Brisbane suburbs in a large family home. The kids have flown the nest and baby boomers, in particular, are looking for a change of lifestyle, where the focus is now on them, yet still remaining central to their families,” she says.

“They are often seeking close to or waterfront living, whether that be small detached houses or the ever-popular luxury unit lifestyle, as they downsize.”

Mary and Jo say these buyers are often transitioning from working full-time, to part-time or considering retiring.

The Redcliffe Peninsula is the perfect location for an easy commute to Brisbane CBD on those 2-3 days a week, if required, or a relaxed and easy place to work from home.

Many new retirees want to find something which is low maintenance, so they can travel. They will be looking for a home which offers good lighting, secure level entry, no steep rises and parking.

Another aspect of their research includes body corporate costs for retirement villages and strata title unit complexes. Exit fees are also a consideration.

SELLING SCARBOROUGH and SURROUNDS Connecting our community! | Your local experts | | 50 + years local knowledge and experience

Jo Szulc 0412 195 577 05

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Mary Di Marco 0438 054 227

|

Musso's leader of the pack Winning Drive’s Car of the Year crown is tough. Defending the title even tougher. Yet that’s exactly what the KGM SsangYong Musso has done.

The Musso has been named Best Dual-Cab Ute Under $50,000 for 2024 and now 2025 by the experts at Drive, one of Australia’s top motoring publications.

“Frankly, nothing in the sub$50K price bracket gets even close,” Drive said. “It’s another impressive win, but one that is entirely deserved.

“It was the build quality, surprisingly long list of standard features, on-road manners and off-road capability and excellent seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty that won us over.”

Village Motors Rothwell Brand Manager Alex Seaward agrees saying the Musso “has got what it takes to compete with anything on the road”.

“It drives like a car but has the tough off-road capability

for weekends away with a 3.5 tonne towing capacity for the boat or van.

“The KGM SsangYong Musso has four models ranging from a tradie ute up to “all the luxury you could want in a 4x4 ute”, Alex says.

Prices range from $40,000 to $47,500 driveaway with 2.2 litre four-cylinder, six-speed turbo diesel engine as well as standard and long-tray models available.

It has keyless entry and start, cruise control, HID (high intensity discharge) headlights, daytime running lights, tyre pressure monitoring system and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Drive says a key to the Musso’s back-to-back wins is South Korean manufacturer KGM didn’t release the model and then “forget about it”.

“The engineering team in South Korea continued to improve the Musso over the years, making it the best option in this category.”

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11/21 STAPYLTON ST Special Feature

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Seniors’ centre is a hive of activity Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre has been an activities hub for over 50s on the Peninsula for more than 50 years.

Treasurer Rhyll Gardner says the centre has about 420 members ranging in age from over 50s to those in their 90s.

“We have two members in their 90s – one plays table tennis and the other plays snooker and indoor bowls,” Rhyll says.

“There’s quite a large cross section of the community of Redcliffe who have joined the centre. We offer activities every day of the week, even on Sunday and in the evenings.

“It’s a very good social outlet for people who are otherwise isolated in their homes. It’s a good way to make friends.”

The activities on offer are also good for participants’ physical and mental wellbeing, with line dancing encouraging them to remember steps and move their bodies.

Activities on offer: • Bingo/Hoy • Bowls • Cards • L ine dancing • Darts • Games • Mahjong • Snooker •N ew vogue dancing • Table tennis

Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre is a registered charity, which is run by volunteers, so costs are low.

Weekly activities range from $4-$12 depending on the type of activity. Table tennis is the most popular activity, followed by cards 500.

Membership fees are $10 for new members and $8 per year to renew. It is free to come along to try an activity for the first time.

Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre 401 Oxley Ave, Redcliffe P: 3284 1366 SCAN HERE for more info or visit Facebook page

Special Feature

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