Dementia Australia operate support groups for those caring for a family member or friend with dementia. The groups provide support to members and allow them to cope by sharing their feelings and experiences, offering family carers a break and a chance to get out of the house, helping others through the sharing of ideas and information and giving family carers an opportunity to talk through problems they are facing or choices they have to make.

Dementia Australia currently offer the following carer support groups in the ACT:

• Calvary Retirement Community, Bruce (monthly)
• Hellenic Club in Phillip (twice monthly)
• Younger Onset Dementia at the Hellenic Club in Phillip (monthly)
• Dementia Australia in Kaleen (monthly)
• Kangara Waters in Belconnen (monthly)

Please visit the website or contact Dementia Australia on 1800 100 500 and act.admin [at] dementia.org.au for more information.

Functional Fitness run a regular weekly ‘Functional Seniors’ program designed to build strength, balance and confidence in older people.

Please visit the website or contact Functional Fitness on 0488 288 252 and memberships [at] funcfitness.com.au for more information.

Active Recovery offer a range of rehabilitation interventions based on best evidence and aimed at education and empowerment of individuals.

Their treatment services include:

• Functional rehabilitation providing education on managing injuries and persistent pain
• Hydrotherapy including one-on-one fully supervised sessions, classes with, carers training, training courses for organisations
• Chronic Disease Management which may include, supervised individual rehabilitation sessions, hydrotherapy, group activity sessions, prescription of a home exercise or activity program, prescription of an exercise program to undertake at a gym and referral to community programs
• Neurological physiotherapy for multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Motor neuron disease, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, stroke, acquired brain injury, aged care assessments, falls/mobility, complex cases (balance problems, joint replacements, arthritis, impaired vision and diabetes)
• Pain management education and support
• Pre-employment screening (PES) & Manual Handling

Please visit the website or contact Active Recovery on (02) 6162 1229 and info [at] activerecovery.net.au for more information.

Heart Support Australia run a Healthy Heart Program which provides peer support to members, community and individuals who have experienced a cardiac event. The eight-week program gives people support, information and encouragement in the lifestyle changes required to achieve an improved health outcome.

Please visit the website or contact Heart Support Australia on (02) 6253 0097 and nationalfacilitator [at] heartnet.org.au for more information.

Flames Fitness offer an ‘Over 50’s’ program designed for older people to maintain and achieve specific health and fitness goals. The program focuses on weight bearing and cardiovascular exercise.

Please visit the website or contact Flames Fitness on (02) 6257 1483 and q [at] flamesfitness.com.au for more information.

Align & Balance offer health and fitness services to Canberra and the surrounding region. They specialise in training for people over the age of 40 with an emphasis on corrective functional exercise, postural alignment and creating flexible bodies.

Their classes include:

• Nordic walking
• Pilates
• Strengthening 50+
• Stretch classes

Please visit the website or contact Align & Balance on 0415 524 953 and nicky [at] alignbalance.com.au for more information.

Align & Balance offer Nordic Walking classes which utilise poles, recruiting the upper and lower body turning walking into an overall body workout.

The classes can help with the following conditions:

• Knee, hip and back issues
• Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
• Type 2 diabetes

Please visit the website or contact Align & Balance on 0415 524 953 and nicky [at] alignbalance.com.au for more information.

Align & Balance offer ‘Strengthening 50+’ classes are accredited by St George Hospital and Fitness Australia and devised by a physiotherapist to benefit older people.

The classes can assist with:

• Increasing lean muscle mass
• Alleviating back, knee, hip and shoulder issues by mobilising the joints
• Combating risk factors for falls and injuries/Improving posture and balance
• Reducing the risk of osteoporosis by maintaining bone density
• Managing arthritis and other chronic conditions
• Warding off depression and low self-esteem
• Improving motor skills and hand eye co-ordination
• Assisting with a healthier, robust and enjoyable life

Please visit the website or contact Align & Balance on 0415 524 953 and nicky [at] alignbalance.com.au for more information.

Vikings 24/7 Fitness Centre offer low impact and gentle seniors fitness classes which are designed to improve overall health and fitness, including strength, balance and co-ordination, mobility, cardio-vascular fitness and flexibility.

Please visit the website or contact Vikings 24/7 Fitness Centre on (02) 6231 6597 and gym [at] vikings.com.au for more information.

Dance Development Centre (DDC) offer dance classes for over 50’s, these include:

• Musical Theatre, a jazz dance style class
• Ballet, a non-syllabus class to learn and master classical ballet steps

Please visit the website or contact DDC on (02) 6259 1550 and canberra [at] dancedevelopment.com.au for more information.