RMAs support residents with:

•  enjoying better access to spaces within the aged care home, including outdoors

•  improving their mobility as part of their care plan

•  experiencing greater participation in events and activities.

As a result of the RMA role, residents experience greater autonomy, dignity and quality of life. Residents can also exercise more readily and enjoy time outside in nature.

More than 650 residents have participated in the RMA program since its introduction in 2024, which is more than half of Eldercare’s total resident population.

“When the role was first introduced, residents were unsure of its true impact,” said RMA Michael at Eldercare Hope Valley.

“Over a year on, however, the response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive,” Michael added.

The role was introduced to assist Eldercare in meeting government changes in October 2024 that requires residential aged care providers in Australia to increase the minutes of direct care to each resident per day.

Here’s what some residents had to say about their experience with RMAs:

Ruby: “I can’t say how pleased I am with the Resident Mobility Assistants and what they do. They help me get around a bit better than I normally can and help me get to places or things I wouldn’t be able to.”

Jill: “Michael helps me get out of my room so I can participate in more activities around the home. He supports me when I am feeling down.”

Diedre: “The Resident Mobility Assistants help me find somewhere to walk that’s safe. They have helped me to go to places where I haven’t been. I now do things that I wasn’t doing before.”

Elaine: “Thank you to the RMA team. I can get outside and enjoy going for walks in fresh air and sunshine. After the walk I usually sit in the veranda and have a good chat with the RMA. They are also helping me to go to the gym twice a week.”

Doreen: “I am thankful to the RMAs. Last week, it was raining and the RMA took me indoors to places I haven’t seen before. I met new residents and spoke to them for a good while. I am enjoying my stay more now as I have someone with me who takes me to the veranda, and I can have a walk in the wheelchair.”

Christina: “I am more mobile than before as the RMAs help to take me for walks regularly. I appreciate their service as I’m spending more time in the sun now.”

The introduction of Eldercare’s RMAs has enabled more residents to participate in activities they have loved for many years.

Reconnecting with nature can help to enrich the lives of residents. In this spirit, the Connection to Coast program at Eldercare Seaford aims to integrate some coastal activities into the home’s lifestyle program.

Eldercare Seaford Wellbeing Consultant Rebecca said many residents have ‘cherished memories’ of growing up by the coast. 

“Our Connection to Coast program is inspired by those residents who want to enjoy some well-loved past-time activities, like beach walks, fishing, and snorkelling,” said Rebecca. “It helps residents reconnect with nature by feeling the ocean at their feet or breathing in the fresh ocean air and brings a sense of calm.

“Our first trip to Port Noarlunga Jetty was a resounding success. Residents donned their new fishing shirts and eagerly cast their lines, sharing stories of past adventures with fellow residents,” added Rebecca. “The feedback was heartwarming – they told us they felt like they were out with friends, not carers.”

Resident Malcolm recalled fun memories with his father after the fishing trip. 

“In my younger days, my father and I used to go fishing near the Eyre Peninsula, which was always good fun. Not that I caught many fish, but Dad did!” said Malcolm.

“The employees really looked after us while we were out fishing at Port Noarlunga. It was a great day and I’d like to do it more often,” added Malcolm. “Everybody was chatting and enjoying themselves… it would have been nice to catch a squid or something, but it was still a nice day out!”

Encouraged by this, the Seaford team organised a second trip to Second Valley. 

During the trip, residents watched school children snorkelling at a nearby reef. This inspired resident Bev, who fondly remembered swimming in the ocean with her siblings in Whyalla. 

Snorkelling is something Bev had ‘always wanted to try’ and at 80 years old her dream was made a reality.

“I’m very adventurous and will have a go at pretty much anything. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend anyone to give it a go,” said Bev.

Several residents also expressed their wish for a yoga class on the beach. To fulfil this wish, the Seaford team organised chair yoga with assistance from the Moana Surf Life Saving Club, who provided a beach accessible wheelchair and mats. 

Eldercare Seaford Spiritual Care Practitioner Marianne, who is also a qualified yoga instructor, said seeing the residents’ faces light up as we brought them onto the beach was ‘truly heartwarming’.

“The yoga session was peaceful, surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean. The class ended with everyone standing in the waves, feeling the water wash over their feet. It was a magical moment, filled with joy and a deep sense of connection to nature,” said Marianne.

Rebecca concluded: “We’re proud to see the Eldercare team come together to help our residents enjoy truly spectacular activities like these.”

Information in this article was correct at the time of publication on 13 November 2025 and may be subject to change.