Sitting on his stationary exercise bike, smiling, healthy and fit, Angelo Tucci is looking forward to marking birthday 101 next month.
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One of the 60 residents at Belvedere Aged Care in Noble Park, Victoria.
Angelo attributes his good health to exercise and daily social interactions with his fellow Italian residents.
Every day he rides his stationary bike in the privacy of his room under the watchful eye of staff. Sitting proud and tall, he smiles at the camera.
"I lived in Italy and worked as a farmer, and then went to war," he said.
"After the war I was in Germany and then came to Australia.
"... the war was hard, but in life I have worked hard... and it has been a good life."
This year, the United Nations celebrates its 30th year observing the International Day of Older Persons (October 1) with the theme Pandemics: Do they change how we address age and ageing?
To date, Belvedere has maintained a COVID-free status, which it attributes to its leadership, knowledge and training of staff in infection control and PPE use, and utilising a zoning strategy to minimise cross-contamination risks while allowing smaller groups of residents to socialise and wander safely through key communal areas.
"A unified workforce limited to a single site; the increase use of technology for family, social connections and activities; and the temporary redesign of the facility all play a part in addressing and supporting the various needs of older persons in our care across the pandemic and beyond," said director of nursing Carmel Drobnik.
To find out more about the UN International Day of Older Persons click HERE
