A north-west Tasmanian aged care home is challenging the status quo, taking residents go-karting to prove that you’re only as old as you feel. Nine residents from OneCare’s Umina Park in Burnie recently headed to Kart Magic at Latrobe, donning helmets and putting pedals to the metal.
OneCare CEO Pete Williams says the idea came directly from the residents themselves.
“At OneCare, we have a program around wellness and reablement, and we really, really look at finding ways that residents can find fun and joy despite their age, and do things that are a little bit out of the ordinary, that’s really about their choices and their decisions”.
Williams noted that the demand was so high from a previous trip in autumn that they had to return.
The participants, all aged 80 and above, showed incredible enthusiasm, with Williams noting,
“The residents were up early this morning, well before we would expect, totally ready, waiting to get on the bus, to get down here. They were so excited.”
For 90-year-old Graham George, the go-karting experience was a trip down memory lane. George, who last drove a go-kart 70 years ago, said the experience was “quite fun, really”. He described getting used to the track as a “bit of muscle memory,” and when asked if he was a daredevil, he said,
“Well, I played a fairly safe I can tell you. I’ve been around for 90 and a bit years and I want to keep going”.
George also highlighted the social benefits, saying it was a “good get together” with people you’ve never met before, and that it helps you “mix around”.
At 92, Ken Pease was a first-time go-karter. Ken admitted he was a bit cautious at first but gained confidence quickly.
“I did pass one or two,” he said with a laugh.
“When asked what it felt like to be back behind the wheel after last driving six months ago, he said it gave him a “sense of independence”. Ken said he would “definitely” recommend the activity to others his age. “It’s a great fun experience”.
Williams said these boundary-pushing excursions are in line with the new national Aged Care Act, which comes into force in November. “The new rights-based legislation puts older people at the centre, enshrining their imperative to make decisions about things that affect their own lives”.
“The Statement of Rights means active, self-determined, and meaningful lives for older people. We plan our excursions and activities together, which gives residents choice and independence—and in this case, an adrenaline rush!”
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