Better Ageing Classes to help you Exercise Right

Exercise Right has been awarded funding from the Australian Government through the Move it AUS – Better Ageing Grants Program. Through a Better Ageing Grant, we’re able to deliver subsidised exercise classes to older Australians over 65.

The aims of the project are to:
• Provide affordable access to exercise classes led by university qualified professionals
• Provide education to enhance understanding of health, weight management, and managing chronic diseases and depression

TELEHEALTH

Group Classes during COVID-19

From Friday 8 May, 2020, providers have the option of providing in-person classes with a maximum of three participants. When each state and territory moves to Stage 2 of its COVID-19 recovery plan, class sizes will increase up to 9 participants. When Stage 3 is activated, then class sizes will resume to our normal maximum of up to 12 participants per class.

To ensure the safety of members of the public using our services during the COVID-19 outbreak, providers need to
• screen participants before each class
• observe social distancing measures
• undertake training in COVID-19 infection control
• adhere to good hygiene practices
• increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of clinics and all equipment.

If you are concerned in any way about the risk of contracting COVID-19, some group classes will continue to be available via Telehealth allowing you to exercise from the comfort and safety of your own home.

You may need to change another provider if your current Telehealth provider elects to move to all in-person classes.

How telehealth works

To use telehealth, you need access to a video camera on your computer, phone or tablet so you can join a video call with your provider and other participants in your class. Each provider will run sessions slightly differently to ensure they are suitable for everyone, so please contact them directly for more information.

Our providers are trained in adapting your exercise sessions to be able to run them remotely, and will support you to start up in a class and continue to stay active and connected with other participants during the sessions. All providers follow Telehealth standards developed by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) to ensure the exercises are safe for you, and are equivalent in quality to in-person exercises you would expect from our professionals. Providers will also support you through being more flexible to allow you to get used to using video technology.

To read more about what is telehealth and is it right for you, read this guide prepared by the Centre for Online Health at the University of Queensland.

All providers follow Telehealth standards developed by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) to ensure the exercises are safe for you, and are equivalent in quality to in-person exercises you would expect from our professionals. Providers will also support you through being more flexible to allow you to get used to using video technology. Find out more in this University of Queensland guide on what to expect in a video consultation (with any health professional).

More help on getting started with technology is available here.

For new participants

Contact one of the providers in your state to enquire about starting our program either in an in-person class (list updated from 18 May 2020) or via Telehealth.

You will undergo screening, which can be in-person or via a short phone call or video questionnaire to find out if our program will be suitable for you. If you proceed, you will be booked in for an individual assessment and support to set you up to join a group class.

For current ERAA participants

If you have been attending Telehealth classes and you still have sessions remaining, you have two choices:

You can continue using Telehealth with your current provider or move to another Telehealth provider if your current provider stops running Telehealth classes. Contact your provider directly to see what the plans are.

For those who attended in-person classes prior to COVID-19, we welcome you back. You will be provided enough time to finish your individual program of 12 classes. Please contact your provider to let them know and to see if they can support you in other ways until you return.

Exercise Right at Home

We have free resources to help you continue exercising independently at home through a project called Exercise Right at Home. This is for all ages, and provides videos and exercise classes designed by Accredited Exercise Physiologists.

Click here to learn more. 

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone access the discounted classes?

No. These subsidised classes are only available to older Australians (aged over 65) and indigenous Australians (aged over 55) who are currently inactive or not meeting the physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes of exercise on most days.

What is a pre-screening?

An exercise screening is just a short questionnaire to determine if it’s safe for you to exercise. If there are any red flags, you will be referred to a GP before starting exercise.

What happens at the assessment? 
The assessment involves five low-intensity tests and a physical activity questionnaire conducted before and after the program. This assessment only takes a few minutes.

What are the classes like?
The 12 classes can vary depending on the provider, and can range from gym classes, yoga, Pilates, aqua aerobics or clinical classes. Check with providers in your local area to find a class that best suits you.

How much do the classes cost? 

To access the government subsidies, we require the following co-payments:

• $8.00 for each one hour in-person class
• $6.00 for each 45 minute Telehealth class
• $4.00 for each 30 minute Telehealth class and
• $3.00 for each 20 minute Telehealth class

The subsidies only apply 12 classes no matter how long a class you do.
Your final assessment is provided free of charge. An additional one-off payment is also required for your pre-assessment which varies depending on where you live. Please contact your local provider for more information.

What happens when I finish the 12 classes? 

You will be eligible for a free post-assessment and the provider will work with you to develop a plan to maintain your activity levels based on your preferences. You may continue in the same class as a full fee-paying participant, join other classes with the provider, or be referred to other community exercise activities and volunteering opportunities.

Can I do more than one class per week? 

Participants will only be subsidised for a maximum of one class per week. The provider may have other classes available which can be accessed for a separate fee.

What if I can’t make it to a class one week? 

If you’re unable to make it, you should contact your provider as soon as possible. Each provider will have their own cancellation or postponement policies which will be explained at the beginning of the program.