She watched for years as her mother, a prolific artist, lost most of her movement and independence, accepting it was an inevitable part of getting older.
"I remember the day mum told me she no longer had the strength to get in and out of bed, so she decided to sleep in her chair instead... I assumed this was simply what ageing looked like," she told AAP.
The public health advocate continued to see her mother's strength weaken over time. It happened gradually, almost invisibly, she said.
"(My) mother lost her identity. I say that frailty stole her identity. It was horrible to watch," Dr Wales said.
She believes her mother, Bonnie Jean Tosswill, like so many older Australians, stopped prioritising movement - especially strength training - because of their age.
The effects can be significant, exercise scientist Jackson Fyfe told AAP.
"One of the biggest misconceptions about strength training is that it is just for young people. It really is for people across the whole lifespan," he said.
"It becomes increasingly important as we get older. It's one of the most effective ways people of all ages can improve their health, maintain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life."
Older adults should be undertaking muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week, he said.
Walking is also another way to improve health, with a 2025 University of Sydney study suggesting that 7000 steps a day could provide many of the same health benefits as 10,000 steps a day.
Researchers found that lower step counts were associated with a reduced risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, dementia and cancer.
While walking and achieving daily steps is encouraged, Dr Fyfe said it was just as important to maintain strength.
"Ideally we should be doing both. Walking and strength training do different jobs," he said.
"Strength training is really essential for building the muscles we need to climb stairs, reduce our risk of falls, and remain independent."
Dr Wales lost her mother at the age of 94.
She was in aged care at the time and wasn't receiving the strength training she needed, but ultimately didn't want it, she said.
"When I saw mum going into aged care, they were talking about gentle exercise and it was certainly not going to help her get strong," she said.
Her loss prompted her to establish Australia's inaugural National Strength Day on Friday.
Charity Strong Australia, also founded by Dr Wales, is calling on the federal government to invest in preventative measures to reduce conditions such as frailty.
The federal government spends an estimated $270.5 billion on health care each year, with around two per cent of this invested in public health.
It recently launched LiveUp, providing free healthy ageing resources to reduce falls and disease and improve overall health.
New guidelines for older adults aged 65 years and over, that adopt a 24-hour movement approach to physical activity, have been updated by the government, along with recommendations for muscle-strengthening activities.
"The Australian government is taking action across many areas to improve the lives of older people in Australia and to support them as they age," a Department of Health, Disability and Ageing spokesperson said.
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