90 HEALTH MATTERS uPdate
SIT-DOWN EXERCISE DVD GETS PEOPLE MOVING
Staff and clients of Lusk Community Unit for Older Persons in north county Dublin have made a sit-down exercise DVD – particularly suitable for people with reduced mobility. Susan Dunne, Staff Nurse and Project Leader, explains how they did it.
he need for a suitable Irish-based exercise DVD was highlighted to my colleagues and I when trying to encourage participation among our clients in our daily exercise programme. We had been using a US-based armchair exercise DVD which we identified as being outdated and unsuitable for our needs. We endeavoured to resource a similar Irish DVD but weeks searching the web proved unsuccessful. We decided that if we wanted to motivate our clients and increase participation in the exercise programme, then we would have to undertake making our own DVD. A preliminary ethics approval meeting was held at local level to develop the proposed plan. This included medical, nursing and administrative staff, as well as two client representatives. The exercise programme was developed by Mona Sweetman from the activities department in conjunction with the physiotherapy department. Funding was applied for and the project was made possible by financial support from the Community Foundation of Ireland and the Health Services National Partnership Forum. HSE Communications recommended
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+ Susan Dunne, Project Leader pictured with Maura Ellis and Kevin Nugent, Client Representatives, Project Committee, both clients from the Day Hospital at HSE Lusk Community Unit for Older Persons pictured at the launch of "Le Cheile" exercise DVD for older persons.
Record It Studios in Dunleer, Co Louth, to us and they proved to be as efficient as they were professional. On the day of filming, our ten energetic and enthusiastic clients proved to be just as professional, completing filming ahead of schedule and without any rehearsal.
The DVD is now an integral part of our exercise programme, immediately benefiting approximately 150 clients in Lusk Community Unit. An increased level of participation has been noticed and clients agree, with one reporting that “it’s nice to liven up the place,” and another saying “I love the music.” The familiar music has provided clients who are physically unable to participate the opportunity to engage with the DVD, often singing along. Since the launch of the DVD last September, it has been widely sought after. The DVD has been bought by a variety of different disciplines ranging from care facilities, day centres, occupational therapists, Special Olympics Ireland, and for personal use at home. This has generated some income for the Friends of Lusk Community Unit charity. We have sold over 250 copies and have received some very positive feedback. We are very proud of this project, not least because of the finished product, but because the actual process of making this DVD proved to be an invaluable and rewarding experience to both staff and clients, many of whom reported that
participating in filming and providing editing opinions was a lot of fun and very rewarding. I believe that this project is unique, as most aspects were completed by the staff and clients of Lusk Community Unit. Medical, nursing, physiotherapy and administration staff all worked together with the clients. Our activities department provided the very energetic and professional anchorwomen. Even the wonderful music was provided by a member of our security staff. Le Chéile, meaning together, proved to be a very appropriate title as this genuinely was a team effort. We have already had discussions about making at least one follow up DVD, Le Chéile Arís. Copies of the DVD may be purchased from Lusk Community Unit. Tel:
(01) 807 1240.
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