Rex gets back on his bike – his own way
For a 90-year-old, Rex's motivation and will to continue to enjoy life is arguably unmatched.
He had a knee reconstruction last year and said he just wanted to get back to the life he loved and as an avid cyclist, he wanted to get back onto a bike.
“I wanted to improve, I wanted to be up and about and out and doing things. I wanted live life as I used to lived life. No way was I going to sit in a chair and watch television and die,” Rex said.
Goals during rehabilitation can make a big difference to motivation and the likelihood of success.
Following surgery, Rex chose to do rehab at home, so he and wife Bev didn’t have to travel to ongoing appointments.
“I already had to rely on my wife, Bev, for so much. Doing it at home meant that Bev was free and she wasn’t waiting around for me to do rehab,” Rex said.
“I set up my own funny little gym here, where I could do all the exercises with support from my hospital physio. Rehab is hard going, but you have to do the exercises. If you come home and sit down, you’re not going to get anywhere.
You’ve got to get out and you’ve got to do it. You’ve got to set yourself goals.
After five months of hard work and rehab, Rex got onto his new bike, a recumbent. It allows him to sit more comfortably and lower to the ground while still getting the freedom of a bike, that he loves so much.
Rex and Bev are now back with his riding group ’Mates on Bikes’ for regular rides which always finish with a coffee and a chat.
Bupa Health Insurance Managing Director Chris Carroll said the partnership with Epworth reflects a new era in patient care, with a major hospital group and private health insurer working together to ensure improved patient outcomes, experience and affordability.
As part of Bupa’s recent extension of its contract with Epworth, more eligible patients will have increased access to rehabilitation in the home as it extends beyond traditional areas such as orthopaedics to neurological and reconditioning patients.
“Hospitals are, and always will be, the backbone for acute and complex care, but the reality is for many patients healthcare can be delivered in community settings and, increasingly, in the home,” Mr Carroll said.
“This is about putting patients first, providing greater choice around their care while helping free up hospital beds for those who really need it.”
