Aged care residents show you’re never too old to ‘Play Up’

It’s always advisable to ask what activities are available at the aged care facility being considered for a loved one.

At Uniting NSW.ACT’s The Marion aged care facility in Leichhardt, in Sydney’s Inner West, there’s a theatre group.

Playing up for these residents though means loosening up and having a giggle as they join their volunteer Drama Teachers Belinda Mason and Colleen Kennedy in their aged care drama class – in what could be Australia’s oldest aged theatre group.

“We used to put on productions, but now the focus is more on play and improvisation inspired by theatre sports games,” Colleen said.

 

Belinda said, “We use drama, movement and storytelling exercises that are fun and helpful in relieving stress and encouraging connections with others.”

“Some of our members live with dementia so being able to be a part of a group that has fun allows them to express themselves and enjoy the company of others without feeling stressed or vulnerable.”

Belinda said seeing how much each of the group’s members got out of the classes makes it all worthwhile.

 

“Seeing them laugh and have fun is so wonderful, especially after having been so isolated during Covid. Many of our members also live with dementia and lose their confidence in their ability to communicate which in turn isolates them further, so seeing them being able to express themselves is just heartwarming.”

 

One of the participants in the class, 95-year-old Billie Brace, moved into The Marion earlier this year and wasted no time in joining up.

“I’m a bit of a dramatic person. I’ve always tried not to be boring,” said Billie.

“What I like is the wonderful sense of companionship. The group understands how you’re living and what you’re going through, there’s something wonderous about it and I really look forward to seeing everyone each week."

Alison, 84, who has Parkinson’s Disease, stressed the importance for her was the sense of belonging to a group and sharing stories and laughter.

Colleen added: “What people are feeling in these reduced circumstances in terms of age and the fact they’re now institutionalised is that they’re shutting down, this group and class allows them to be playful and open up their feelings again.”

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.