Rest is history
Julia Wallace Retirement Village residents are staying in shape thanks to regular exercise classes at the Palmerston North rest home. At the ‘‘triple A’’ sessions, residents walk, stretch and exercise with equipment while upbeat music keeps the mature limbs pumping. Resident Lorna Black, 92, said she took part in the classes because after a lifetime of exercise – playing netball and golf – she was determined to keep active when she moved into Julia Wallace. ‘‘It gives us all a chance to get together and we all feel so much more energised, and can do more with our day afterwards.’’ Black said although she was one of many rest home residents, she enjoyed belonging to small groups, such as triple A. Yesterday, Black and the rest home’s other fitness fanatics were joined by Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway and Ryman Healthcare chief executive Gordon Macleod for a strength and balance class. Lees-galloway and Macleod exchanged their normal corporate attire for fitness gear to mark the triple A sessions gaining ACC accreditation. This comes through meeting standards for the ‘‘live stronger for longer programme’’ created by ACC, the Ministry of Health and Health Quality and Safety Commission NZ. The programme is about people staying fit well into their twilight years. Lees-galloway enjoyed his morning away from the Beehive. ‘‘I had a lot of fun today and it proved it is a social experience as much as it is about staying fit and healthy.’’ Julia Wallace manager Christina Brenton said the classes had been hugely successful. ‘‘It’s hugely important for us to be accredited as it validates the wellbeing and the social interaction these classes provide.’’ The classes are available across Ryman Healthcare’s rest homes.