Enjoying a Sunday roast dinner together was something the Pabbruwee family always treasured but when their mum, Louise, suffered a stroke, it seemed that family Sunday roasts were a thing of the past.  

Louise’s family didn’t take into account her determination to regain her independence. Louise first arrived at Oceania’s Eldon Lodge after suffering a stroke and quickly joined up to LIFE, Oceania’s exclusive wellbeing programme.

LIFE is an award winning programme which encourages residents to set personal goals and then uses simple exercise programmes to help them achieve it.  Louise’s goal was to be able to go back to her family home in the weekends and contribute to the Sunday dinner by peeling the vegetables.

 On the day she managed to peel her first carrot, the look on her face and those of staff who had supported her in her goal, was one of absolute delight in a shared achievement.

“She was so pleased that she peeled and peeled until there were no vegetables left”, says Theresa, the LIFE co-ordinator at Eldon Lodge. “Her family were incredulous but thrilled that she had achieved her goal. 

“For many of our LIFE participants, small goals like this are incredible achievements and Louise was on top of the world when she succeeded.” 

“She is a different person now”, says Louise’s husband, Joe. “It is so great to see her involved in something so positive and enjoying life again.” 

Every day, residents and staff involved in Oceania’s LIFE programme are celebrating the life changing results they have achieved through exercise and improved wellbeing.

Says Diana Spratt-Casas, Oceania’s LIFE Consultant: “We’re looking at a much broader view of wellness than just physical exercise here, and it’s wonderful to be involved in something so positive. 

“These people are no longer sitting on the sidelines, they’re actively involved in pursuing their interests. Many of our residents are enjoying life again, at a stage in their lives when they probably would not have envisaged extending their wellness as far as they have.”

“We consider ourselves part of the community and that’s why the programme is so important” says Diana. “The LIFE programme is a core exercise programme, but around that must stand a culture of independence and empowerment. Oceania has taken on the philosophy of coaching in everything we do, to ensure that people can have fun, be themselves and be the best they can be, for as long as possible”.