EMAA Leaders and Classes

Raelene Thompson is an accredited EMAA Leader and available to conduct EMAA classes – she can be contacted on 8382 6591.

Gundi Tophinke is an accredited EMAA leader and is available to conduct EMAA classes in the northern and eastern suburbs. She can be contacted by email at topgundi@yahoo.com or telephone 8369 2203.

INTRODUCING EASY MOVES FOR ACTIVE AGEING - EMAA

EMAA is a state of the art program designed as a practical resource for people working in the field of aged care to assist in the maintenance of function and the reduction in the rate of decline in people as they age.

Produced by Active Ageing Australia in collaboration with leading experts in the fields of recreation, aged care, health and fitness, EMAA provides a practical, simple formula for the delivery of quality activity programs in a variety of settings.

EASY MOVES FOR ACTIVE AGEING - EMAA provides leaders with a sound foundation from which to conduct a safe and suitable core based exercise program in a physical activity framework.

EASY MOVES FOR ACTIVE AGEING - EMAA caters for the needs of less active, older persons living within residential care facilities as well as the community.

Recent research shows that physical activity is the single most significant means whereby individuals can influence their own health and functional abilities and maintain a high quality of life into old age.

The Program and Training Course

EASY MOVES FOR ACTIVE AGEING - EMAA consists of an External Study Guide, followed by a Two Day Training format of lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions and assessments conducted by health professionals experienced in the field of aged care.

EMAA training courses can be conducted throughout Australia, and are currently delivered regularly in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland in both metropolitan and regional areas. Visit the Training Dates page for the course dates for 2011. In addition to the scheduled EMAA Leaders Trainings throughout the year in-house training options are available. ‘In-house’ trainings have been provided for:

• SA – Eldercare; Kranz International College; Adelaide Hills Community Health Service; Port Pirie Regional Health Service; and the Italian Benevolent Foundation;
• Vic – DHS Eastern Metropolitan Region (HACC Training); Bairnsdale Regional Health Service; Southern Metropolitan Region (HACC Training); Regional Information & Advocacy Council (HACC Training – Hume); Barwon Health; and Inner East Primary Care Partnerships;
• NSW - Riverina Division of General Practice and Primary Health Ltd; and
• QLD, Spiritus.

Contact Shirley Armstrong at Active Ageing Australia on 08 8362 5599 or email admin@activeageingaustralia.net.au for further information and a quote.

EMAA has been approved by the Service Industries Skills Council as an appropriate learning resource to meet the Competency standards of 3 units from the National Training Packages (SRC CRO 007B, SRC CRO 009B and SRF CFP 001A).

EMAA training courses meet certain requirements of Aged Care Facilities under the Aged Care Assessments Act.

Introducing EMAA in Aged Care Facilities
by Robin Townsend
Easy Moves for Active Ageing consists of an interactive Two Day Training format of lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions and assessments conducted by health professionals experienced in the field of aged care.

Active Ageing Australia’s training course Easy Moves for Active Ageing (EMAA) is recognised as a suitable training course for staff conducting exercise classes, and personal care-workers and therapy assistants who implement rehabilitation programs in residential aged care services. EMAA training does not replace assessment by health professionals and facilities are required by the Aged Care Act 1997 to provide assessment and care planning by appropriate health professionals where a need can be demonstrated.

EMAA leaders are trained to conduct safe exercise programs, with a focus on core exercises for flexibility, strength and balance. EMAA training also expands skills and knowledge in areas such as communication with other health professionals, basic anatomy, joint replacement, arthritis, dementia and precautions relevant to exercise with older people. Feedback has been very positive, with reports of increased skills and confidence for leaders; and improved balance, sit-to-stand and mobility skills and enjoyment of exercise for residents.

ACCREDITATION
EMAA training has a role in assisting facilities to meet a number of the 44 Expected Outcomes under the Accreditation Standards (The Aged Care Act 1997). These include:

• 2.14 Mobility, Dexterity and Rehabilitation: EMAA exercise classes can contribute to the maintenance and improvement of resident mobility and dexterity. Therapy assistants and personal care workers learn skills during EMAA training that may assist with the implementation of rehabilitation programs designed by health professionals
• 2.1 Continuous Improvement: EMAA -trained staff may implement and improve classes – to improve care and services in a facility
• 2.3 Education and Staff Development: EMAA contributes to the training of staff for their roles as exercise leaders, therapy assistants and personal care workers
• 1.6 Human Resource Management: EMAA training provides staff with appropriate skills to conduct exercise classes, to implement rehabilitation programs and to assist with maintenance of resident mobility and functional skills

The requirements for facilities to demonstrate assessment of residents’ needs and provision of rehabilitation and exercise programs will not change. A physiotherapist or an occupational therapist will in most cases be the appropriate professional to assess mobility and dexterity needs, and to write individual and group exercise programs. Exercise class participation may be a lifestyle preference and EMAA-trained leaders are able to provide classes for residents.
EMAA training of staff will continue to improve quality of life for residents and contribute to maintenance of Accreditation status for facilities.

If you wish to discuss any of these or related EMAA issues please do not hesitate to contact Pauline Brooks or Robin Townsend through the Active Ageing Australia office, Tel (08) 8362 5599.

Course Contents include:

- Risk management principles and application
- Building on core foundations - physical activity frameworks/ideas/equipment
- Core modules of flexibility, strengthening and balance exercises
- Modification and precaution guidelines
- Musculoskeletal system
- Movement analysis
- Physiology of ageing
- Active ageing-evidence and research outcomes
- Special needs / considerations / chronic conditions examined
- Making it work - varied / supportive environments

The EMAA Participants manual

Active Ageing Australia's first EMAA course in NSW, April 2005 with Master Trainers Pauline Brooks OAM and Robyn Coman.

The EMAA Presenters Manual

The EMAA presenter's manual is a well-documented resource containing presentation material and resources for the teaching of the program by Active Ageing's Australia®'s EMAA Trainers.

The Next Step

To find out about dates, register your interest and for further information about Active Ageing Australia and the EASY MOVES FOR ACTIVE AGEING - EMAA Training Courses contact:

Active Ageing Australia
105 King William Street
Kent Town 5062
Tel: 8362 5599

email: admin@activeageingaustralia.com.au

EMAA rides again!
In 2006, AAA revised EMAA in order to update and upgrade the content and delivery. This process was led by our Master Trainer, Pauline Brooks OAM and took several months of hard work with the outcome being a new, refreshed EMAA. The EMAA Manual was revised again in 2009.

EMAA – who is it for?
EMAA teaches you how to conduct safe and effective physical activity and exercise programs for older people. EMAA classes are conducted in both Aged Care facilities and the community.

Attendees usually include: Physiotherapy Assistants, Diversional Therapists, Health Professionals, Activity Coordinators, Therapy Assistants, Lifestyle Coordinators.

Accreditation
Any new graduates who attend EMAA will automatically be recorded with our Registered Training Organisation (Sport SA) and receive a Statement of Attainment that can be used to “claim” credit for your study with TAFE, for example.

EMAA Facts and figures

• EMAA was developed in 1999
• EMMA was first delivered in 2000
• EMAA has 3 Trainers; 2 in SA, and 1 in Vic
• EMAA receives no government support and is completely self-sustaining
• EMAA was delivered for the first time interstate in 2005 (to NSW, ACT and Victoria)
• There are over 2000 EMAA graduates as at January 2011
• There have been 4 Editions of the EMAA Manual (2000, 2005, 2007 and 2009)
• EMAA made the finals of the 2004 ‘be active Recreation and Sport Awards’ in the education category