You’ll also likely see fellow resident Brian Fort, 92, around town in his old Ford Falcon with his ageing companion dog, Kimba, beside him.

They are among many residents at Calvary’s aged care home in Torquay on Victoria’s Surf Coast who are encouraged and supported by staff to continue to be part of their community as best they can and for as long as they can.

About half of the home’s residents are able to still get out and about independently, and the more mobile do so under their own steam, by foot or on wheels.

Although perceptions are often otherwise, aged care isn’t about restricting people, says home manager Merin Rose Karimbil Antony, who has come to know her residents, their interests and capabilities well.

Instead, it is a place to call home where residents have choice and control over their lives, maintain their connection with people and their community as they choose, and are involved in activities meaningful to them.

“We want to encourage and enable our residents to live as well as they can, continue to do what they enjoy, whether its inside the home or out, and do as much as they feel they are able.

“I always think, ‘what would I want to do in their situation?’. Like them, I would want to be able to still engage with my community and do it safely without posing a risk to myself.”

It takes adventurer Josina about 15 minutes to get into town on her distinctive motorised scooter that looks all the world like a vintage motorcycle, a hand-me-down from her late husband, Bill.

She is careful to stick to the footpaths.

Maintaining her independence is important to the mother and grandmother who emigrated to Australia from The Netherlands with her first husband, Frank, when she was just 21. She has seen much of Australia in her many travels and eventually found her way to the Surf Coast.

“I’m not very good at doing nothing, I think I have an adventurous spirit,” says the energetic nonagenarian.

Although she will happily do jigsaws and other puzzles at home and encourage residents to join her, Josina also gets out whenever she is feeling up to it. On those days she’s chatting over coffee, checking out the op shops, and throwing a passing wave to her grandson at a local tattoo shop.

“I drive slowly, and I’ve been very careful. It is my freedom.”

Driving about in his 16-year-old Falcon is a big part of 92-year-old Brian Fort’s sense of freedom, and he’s just had his licence renewed for another three years.

He’s out and about most days, sometimes to drive his little mate Kimba to a park for a stroll, or pick up some things at the local shops. Sometimes he has afternoon tea or a meal out with friends, at other times he’s happy to stay put in his comfy recliner.

“The staff are so good and so helpful and friendly,” he said, adding that they even replaced the carpeted flooring in his room so he could better look after his dog.

“I’m able to live life here the way I want. The thing is, we don’t think we’re old people yet!”