Over the past 2 years, all Australians have been impacted by prolonged lockdowns. Those affected most have often been our older adults, who either became isolated in their aged care home or reduced their access to their community.

Guide Healthcare, awarded the fifth most innovative company in the health industry by the Australian Financial Review in 2021, provides quality and evidence-focused allied health service to the aged care, home care, and the disability sector.

Simon Kerrigan is a Physiotherapist and the Founder of Guide Healthcare and through Real World Games, Simon and his team are seeking to give older adults the confidence and capability to get back into the real world.

Real World Games are a series of events that mimic typical obstacles older adults may face in the community. Each event incorporates a different environment, skill and challenge. Over 4 weeks, each competitor will receive the support and training of their allied health team to conquer challenges. These challenges have been designed for varying mobility and functional levels, as well as some challenges for the trainers, for all involved to compete.

The games will culminate in a live-streamed event where competitors from across Australia will compete against each residential aged care centre.

The aim is to make as many older adults as possible, community ambulant, whilst using creativity to give older Australians a sense of fun in the activity.

Re Aged Care met with Simon to hear about Guide Healthcare’s past events and the lead in to Real World Games, for residential aged care operators interested in signing up to join.