I’m so happy to share that our second Newsletter of 2026 has just been published! This is the second year when we have published two editions in a year, sharing stories from our clients. This edition includes client stories from all areas of aged care – community health, retirement, and residential aged care. Every story highlights the importance of exercise, with individual case stories sharing real-life examples in the true impact that exercise has.
This editions’ cover story celebrates the brand new Reable Wellness Centre by Police HomeCare, based in Adelaide. The site is the perfect place for every individual, whether you wish to age well, you are managing a chronic condition or are recovering from illness or injury. The site’s core program follows the evidence‐based Muscling Up Against Disability (MUAD) framework, shown to improve strength, balance, and confidence in older adults.
We celebrate Bass Care Morgan Glen Iris where exercise equipment is available for our community members, supporting our ongoing commitment to wellbeing, movement, and maintaining independence. The site’s goal is to encourage community members to feel comfortable using the equipment and to understand that exercise can be enjoyable, achievable, and adapted to individual needs.
Southern Cross Care’s commitment to healthy ageing has taken an exciting step forward with the opening of their Wellness Centres at Holland Park and Chinchilla in Queensland. The centres are purpose designed to help older adults build strength, confidence and connection through safe, supported movement.
This editions’ knowledge page is all about cancer. Exercise is increasingly recognised as a powerful adjunct therapy in cancer care. Benefits extend beyond general health to directly influence disease progression, treatment outcomes, and survival. Research in exercise oncology shows that physical activity can act as a form of “medicine,” producing measurable biological effects even in advanced stages of cancer.
We can also read how the staff at MedHP have put all evidence int clinical principles, collaborating with specific cancer facilities, but also local GP, to run classes, for cancer patients as well. The team’s goal is to minimise the physical decline often associated with cancer treatment, improve mental health, and help people emerge stronger, healthier and prepared for long‐term survivorship. Exercise cannot change a diagnosis, but it can significantly influence how people experience treatment and recover afterwards.
Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc. opened a state‐of‐the art $18 million expansion of its aged care services in Darwin. The expansion includes a new age‐friendly Health & Fitness Centre designed to support active, independent lifestyles, slow down the onset of frailty and delay hospitalisations for older people who live in their own homes. Southern Cross Care CEO David Moran said, “The new Centre is purpose‐built for Southern Cross Care’s healthy ageing model, providing even better support to promote clients’ independence and keep them living at home with a good quality of life for as long as possible”.
In Western Australia, at Rossmoyne Waters, an Adventist Care‐run aged care facility, the exercise physiologist’s primary goal is to foster independence, recovery, and vitality among the residents. The daily caseload covers musculoskeletal injuries, pre‐ and post‐surgical rehabilitation, and complex chronic disease management like osteoarthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
Exercise Physiologist Mitchell Craig states that the HUR pneumatic machines empower the residents. They bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and everyday fitness, allowing him to deliver high‐quality, safe, and effective exercise interventions that genuinely improve the physical capabilities and overall quality of life for the Rossmoyne Waters community
The empowering case example from Infinite Care is a testament to what happens when personal grit meets a structured, expert support system. When arriving at care, Sue was bed‐bound, at high risk of hip dislocation, and required full assistance from two personal carers and a mechanical hoist for the simplest of movements.
With a multidisciplinary care team, weekly physiotherapy sessions, and twice weekly sessions at Infinite Care’s Strength and Conditioning Program, her health improved. After 16 months she walked back home with restored confidence and independence at the age of 73.
Since opening its doors in 2018, Uniting Seniors Gym in Gordon, South Canberra, has continued to grow, supporting older Australians to stay active, independent, and connected within their community. Membership has increased by 90 per cent, reflecting the rising demand for specialised exercise services, and the team has expanded from two staff members to five.
At the heart of all Uniting Seniors Gyms is the philosophy that ‘Exercise is Medicine’. Purposeful exercise plays a vital role in improving health, function, and quality of life as people age, supporting independence and confidence.
You can pick up a printed copy of this Newsletter at our up coming HUR Day in the Gold Coast. The purpose of this seminar afternoon is to meet with our clients to share the most up-to-date knowledge on the research evidence and clinical experiences, as well as introduce everyone to our new products and software solutions. We have been busy with the bookings as places are limited.
You can read more about the event in my recent blog post, and all of our Newsletters, including 2/2026 are available here.
Best wishes,
Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman
Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSAM), PhD (Biomechanics)
Research Lead, Area Account Manager (Vic, Tas, SA, NT, WA)
