First concert after aged care home lockdown
After months of lockdown and strict conditions imposed on aged care facilities, a concert was held in Woy Woy on Friday, April 11.
The concert given by Woy Woy entertainer Julie Hogarth-William's was held for the seniors at Bluewave Living.
Among those attending was Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.
"After an entire year of being unable to enjoy concerts, the residents were overjoyed singing and dancing throughout the concert.
"The happiness and connection to fond memories was beautiful to see and it was heart-warming to see the residents having fun with their friends and the staff also enjoying the show."
"With Senior's Week starting soon I am so grateful this year our senior's will be able to be appreciated and celebrate in the way they very much deserve."
Ms Tesch said that, before the pandemic, Ms Hogarth-Williams was a professional senior entertainers, performing over 600 concerts throughout the Central Coast and Sydney for seniors living in aged care.
The pandemic presented many new challenges and forced these concerts to be shut down and put on halt immediately to protect the safety of the elderly.
Ms Hogarth-WIlliams said this was the catalyst for her and husband Darren to start up The Seniors Channel, a digital on-demand entertainment service specifically for seniors.
"We'd thought about this idea for a while, even before Covid, but we were so busy with work that we weren't able to commit time to develop it.
"When Covid struck all concerts were cancelled and we knew this service was needed, now more than ever, to keep the joy spreading in the aged care homes."
Ms Tesch said the Seniors Channel was a subscription service for seniors and was designed with a mission to alleviate the debilitating effects of loneliness and isolation of residents living in aged care.
"It gets people up and moving with new and tailored exercises and activities, boosting endorphins through movement," she said.
Ms Tesch said she was delighted to see two locals doing incredible things.
"Julie and Darren have filled a gap in the current market with no tailored services for those over the age of 65.
"This is more than just a business.
"This is giving people joy and it is something I am so passionate about."
Ms Tesch said that, while she stepped in to fund the concert on this occasion, "I hope the Government will seek to have this channel implemented in all aged care facilities to ensure joy continues to be spread."
SOURCE:
Media release, 13 Apr 2021
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford