The Warnervale Wellness Centre is the perfect place for seniors to hang out, where they can connect with other seniors and participate in a wide range of activities designed to keep them living independently.
The aged care centre, located in Hamlyn Terrace, is run by Catholic Healthcare and provides respite for carers and access to other services such as counselling and the Dementia Advisory Service.
“We know that older people are very isolated with COVID-19 and the seniors hub is a place for meeting friends, making friends and doing activities together”, said Nicola Rosenthal, who is the Catholic Healthcare Regional Manager.
“Seniors can participate in as much or as little as they choose, with a calendar of activities from craft and singing, to gardening, exercise and cooking, or they can simply enjoy a game of cards or chess with light refreshments or a meal,” Rosenthal said.
The Hub also offers group outings and walking groups designed to meet recreational and physical healthcare goals.
The service has been very popular but with Covid restrictions, the numbers have been limited to 25 people a day.
“People really enjoy the day and they enjoy seeing their friends,” Rosenthal said.
“We have a group of ladies who have been coming to the centre for years who’ve created very strong friendship groups, and we’ve got a number of men who engage with our male carers who love to carry on about the football and play pool together,” she said.
Harry Mulholland