Two Gippsland health service providers have joined with Victoria’s Department of Human Services to produce a DVD promoting the benefits of technology in home and community care (HACC) programs.

The DVD follows the successful introduction of a range of technology applications to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s centre-based activity groups, with support from Latrobe Community Health Service.

Centre clients were given the opportunity to surf the web and access email and interactive games.

The Sony eye-toy – which allows users to interact with on-screen objects by moving their bodies in front of a web camera – proved to be particularly beneficial to mental and physical wellbeing.

Project organisers say the technology applications helped lead to weight loss, improved fitness and mobility, enhanced sociability, reduced anxiety and depression and improved sleeping habits among clients.

“The DVD highlights the vast mental and physical improvements we have seen in the clients at BRHS using this new technology,” said community care training coordinator, Jay Duncan.

“We hope that by disseminating this information to similar aged and disability care providers we can inspire further innovation and improvements in the way we deliver our programs, which is always a good outcome for the community.”

For more information, call Jay Duncan on 03 5136 5292.