We are happy to announce that HUR Australia Newsletter 2024 has just been published.

The 7th edition of our annual Newsletter is themed around “Health and Wellness”, sharing stories from our clients from all service groups: residential aged care, retirement living, community care and 50+ health, but also including feature stories as well as product news.

Throughout the year we have been discussing topics around Health and Wellness, with many blog posts relating to current research. This Newsletter’s main feature article will summarise many of the key points.

From the definitions of health and wellness, to physical activity guidelines and the concepts of Lifespan – Healthspan – Strengthspan, there are many inspirational stories to encourage everyone to exercise and take action that leads to their best health.

A recent research (Burton et al. The Gerontologist, 2024) surveyed 1,994 people globally, asking the participants: What does it mean to age successfully? The results stated that in contrast to the common belief that successful aging mainly relates to the absence of disease and decline, the most prominent goal was to stay “active, independent, and engaged”. Our stories are definitely in line with this research result!

The Newsletter starts with two stories from Residential Aged Care. Riverview, a not-for-profit 60-bed residential aged care facility in Loxton, South Australia, has been reburbished with the CEO’s vision for a holistic, total wellbeing model that supports every resident towards their best health and wellness, facilitated by allied health and lifestyle teams.

Lifeview operates four residential aged care homes in Melbourne’s south-east, Victoria, promoting active and vibrant living around its core LIFE principles: Laugh, Integrity, Focus and Engage. All Lifeview homes are designed to help residents live active lives, filled with social interaction, daily activities, and, importantly, independence and choice.

As examples of success in retirement living we have customer stories from three states. Aura by Livewell is an active retirement resort in Findon, South Australia, wanting to inspire healthier and safer communities by creating retirement resorts that connect all the residents. 

Baptcare’s new Retirement Living sites in Victoria, Baptcare Strathalan, Baptcare The Orchards and Baptcare Peninsula View, have been developed with the aim of creating a sense of community and to support individual lifestyles, with activities that encourage community interaction and active lifestyles.

Oasis Retirement Village in Peakhurst, NSW, is built with passion for fitness and health, understanding that staying active is crucial for the well-being of the residents. This has translated into the inclusion of state-of-the-art facilities that offer more than just exercise equipment, offering a fitness centre that caters to every need and preference.

In the community care articles section we present the Community health model of Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic) Inc. with programs boasting nine different allied health disciplines on their staff, with a primary focus is to engage people into exercise pathways. The model is clinician-led and focused on restoration through an intensive delivery of allied health and therapy. 

Abundant Living Community Services is a Registered NDIS provider in Adelaide and Central Australia, offering tailored support plans, wellness programs, and informative seminars to foster a community where everyone can thrive. The purpose of the service in Alice Springs is to assist people in gaining independent living, and improve quality of life.

The 50+ health sector is gaining the importance it deserves is offering services that allow people to keep up their health and strength. Empower Gym was created adjacent to Unley Physiotherapy, in Unley, South Australia. The new gym is the vision of its director, Gregory Rosenbauer, who wanted to create a gym space that would be suitable for all users, from professional athletes to older adults, providing an inclusive space for everyone; prehabilitation, rehabilitation, maintenance and general health.

Elossa is a 60+ gym in the Illawarra region of NSW. The CEO Lilliana Barone wanted to create am exercise space where everyone could maintain an active lifestyle by engaging in regular exercise, to enjoy a good quality of life while getting older. In the article Lilliana shares some advice on how to help people gain the motivation required to start, and keep, training.

MedHP in Highett, Victoria, started as a collaboration between General Practitioners and Exercise Physiologists to bridge the gap between medicine and exercise. When exercise is recommended to a patient, the site provides a safe, seamless pathway from the GP to the gym floor, unlocking the potential of every body, establishing high quality exercise programs and holding the everyone in good health for years to come.

Our feature articles start with the celebration of Active Ageing the Finnish way on Hobsons Bay. In April 2024 Avanti Health Centre in Spotswood, Victoria, welcomed everyone to celebrate two Finnish companies whose innovations are changing the Active Ageing Space. The Ambassador of Finland, his excellency Arto Haapea, joined in the day of celebration together with the CEO of Avanti Health, Darryl Grundy. 

We also celebrate two major milestones as we wish Happy Anniversay to HUR celebrating 35 years, and HUR Australia 15 years. Over the 35 years, HUR has grown into a global company that prides itself for constantly improving its technology to respond to the current research. Collaboration with multiple universities around the world, has allowed HUR to be part best-practice innovations for e.g. falls prevention, chronic disease management and geriatric strength training. In Australia we have worked with hospitals, rehabilitations centers and sports centers.

We are grateful for every person we have met over the years, from residents and participants to managers and leaders, we truly have been surrounded by the best people and organisations, thank you!

The final feature story, “Health and Wellness – Adding life to years and not just years to life, with exercise” summarises the topic we have been discussing throughout the year. From the consequenes of inactivity, to exercise recommendations and the definition of “Healthspan”, this acrticle summarises the key reasons for regular exercise and strength training, especially as we get older. 

As said by the authors of the BJSM editorial discussed in our feature article, “Strengthspan-centred actions will add life to years and not just years to life.” I hope that the articles in this Newsletter inspire you to take action to lengthen your healthspan and bring more life to your years.

>> Click here to download and read this Newsletter (PDF 16.2MB) 

If you are attending ACCPA National conference in a few weeks, please come and visit us at booth #44 to pick up your printed Newsletter, and also help us to celebrate our anniversaries.

Best Wishes, 
Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman
HUR Australian Newsletter editor
Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSAM), PhD (Biomechanics)
Research Lead, Area Account Manager (Vic, Tas, SA, NT)