COPD pilot making waves for our golden oldies

Golden results are being delivered at Burpengary’s Oak Tree Retirement Village with a fabulous program increasing participant’s fitness and quality of life.

Deception Bay resident Barry Hedges said CISS’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program had not only helped him quit smoking but return to a job he loved, painting.

“The eight week program has helped me in so many ways, but in particular how I manage my breathing and my attitude to exercise,” Barry said.

“The CISS girls support has been fantastic, and they have given me some great techniques to help me breath well and a better understanding of my condition and how to manage it.”

As part of the eight week satellite Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, Barry undertook two sessions each week participating in a range of exercises including resistance training, weights and rowing, and walking tests.

“I was a painter for 50 years and worked on some amazing farms, homesteads and buildings throughout the state until I retired about two years ago,” Barry said.

“Thanks to the program I have been able to quit smoking and now am back at work three days a week doing something I love.”

The program has been instrumental in improving Barry’s fitness and confidence in managing his respiratory condition thanks also to additional educational classes delivered with allied health and nursing professionals in person or via telehealth.

ICIF COPD Project Principal Project Officer Sharon Hodby said the initiative was part of a broader group of innovation projects being delivered through the Integrated Care Innovation Fund (ICIF).

“The pilot project is already having significant outcomes for our participants with improved health and wellbeing, but importantly improved measures of fitness and quality of life scores,” Sharon said.

“It is seeing participants get back to activities they love, and continue to gain healthy life skills even in their golden years.”

The pilot is part of a Metro North strategy to ensure that care is shared by hospitals, GPs and community health networks.

Sharon was very confident that the pilot program would reduce the demand on the hospital system by assisting people stay healthier and manage their disease more confidently closer to home.

“A further six eight-week COPD Rehabilitation programs will be rolled out in key areas of need across Metro North in the months leading up until June 2018,” Sharon said.