Memory Innovations keeps Pat moving

March 4, 2026

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 89 year old Pat arrives at CatholicCare’s Memory Innovations Centre (MIC), his steady walking stick in hand and a welcoming smile on his face. That’s Pat – delightful, chatty and always ready with a joke. He’s proof that life, even amid grief and mobility challenges, can still be full of laughter and purpose.

Pat is a regular face at MIC’s Let’s Get Moving and Brain Games sessions. “From my point of view, these classes are everything,” Pat says with his signature gentle humour.

“I’ve got peripheral neuropathy, so my legs aren’t what they used to be. But I keep going,” he says.

Diagnosed in 2016, Pat’s condition affects the nerves in his legs, limiting his mobility and making balance a daily challenge. Despite this, he shows up twice a week for exercise classes, carefully adapting movements to suit his abilities.

“He’s improved so much,” says MIC facilitator Jacqui. “At first, he was very cautious, but now he gives everything a go. His awareness of how his body moves has grown, and he’s more confident. We all love having him in the group – he brings such energy and joy.”

A father of five and a lifelong sports enthusiast, he’s spent much of his life giving back to the community – especially through sport. Once a keen cricketer and squash player, Pat later found his niche in field hockey.

“I was an administrator in field hockey for years,” he recalls. “My son picked it up, and no one was managing the team. My wife Carol elbowed me and said, ‘Put your hand up!’ And that was that.” It wasn’t just a hobby – it became a passion.

Though he can no longer actively participate in sport, MIC has given Pat a new way to stay connected to movement and teamwork. The Let’s Get Moving program keeps him active and engaged, offering a structured and supportive environment where he can still feel part of something physical and purposeful. “Even sitting down, I can still exercise and build strength,” he says.

While the physical benefits of the program have helped Pat maintain strength and stability, it’s the social connection that lights him up. “Jacqui is like the conductor of an orchestra – she makes sure everyone feels important, even if we’re not doing the exercises perfectly. You always feel like you matter here,” says Pat.

Pat began attending MIC a few months after his wife passed away in April 2024 and he found comfort through the sense of belonging and comradery he experienced at MIC.

“He talks about his wife with such love,” says Client Liaison Administration Officer, Jess. And the community he has formed at MIC are always there to provide a listening ear.

Brain Games, held once a week, has also become a favourite for Pat. While he jokes that names sometimes escape him and directions occasionally get mixed up, he lights up when solving puzzles and mathematical challenges.

“It keeps me going,” Pat says. “I’ve never done anything quite like it before. It’s good for my brain.”

Pat is a beloved member of the MIC family. His resilience, humour, and openness to try new things – even when life throws curveballs – are a quiet inspiration to everyone around him.

“He’s right at home here,” says Jacqui. “He’s sweet, kind, and incredibly entertaining. You can tell how much it means to him to be surrounded by people who care.”

Pat isn’t focused on slowing down. Instead, he’s focused on staying connected, moving when he can, and embracing each day with purpose.