falls in nine months. With falls often necessitating hip operations – which cost up to £30,000 – this starts to present a compelling case to the NHS. “What Technogym is trying to do
is bring about behavioural change by taking equipment outside of traditional fi tness settings, which is why we are focusing on care homes,” says Mark Jones, medical and health business manager for Technogym. Jones admits putting gyms into
residential homes is not an easy sell, but Redholme has found exercise helpful in looking after its residents. Indeed, as well as a reduction in falls, Redholme has reported that residents have found it easier to eat and sleep, and there has also been a reduction in medication, including anti-psychotic drugs. According to matron Anne McCann:
“Older people with dementia are at the bottom of the list when it comes to funding and inclusion. We wanted to look at a creative way to enhance the quality of life for the residents in our care and promote active lifestyles. Residents who are agitated and aggressive are taken to the gym – a workout reduces the level of aggression and we’ve also found that people have been more compliant with medications and nursing interventions.”
CENTRAL YMCA The Community Activator programme was started by Central YMCA with a Big Lottery Fund grant. According to Robin Gargrave, director of innovation and development at Central YMCA, it was founded on the belief that generally the best people to support behaviour change are not sport and health development workers who are parachuted into neighbourhoods, but people who are embedded in and trusted by the community. In other words, “people like them”. This scheme takes volunteers who
have good interpersonal skills and who are interested in health and fi tness – without being health and
Central YMCA’s Community Activator scheme has great benefits for older people, not least offering company to those who live alone
fi tness instructors – and gives them the skills and knowledge they need to bring about behaviour change in people. Following their training, these
‘community activators’ go out into the community and set up fi tness initiatives such as guided walks, as well as dancing, stretching and circuit-style classes in venues such as community halls and offi ces – anywhere people in the community feel comfortable going. While the scheme targets all ages,
the benefi ts for older people are clear: those who have taken part in the activities and walks have said they do so to get out of the house, for the company (many live alone) and for the health benefi ts, as they fear becoming immobile and housebound. In January, Central YMCA is
partnering with Bristol and Bath Universities in a programme called the ACE Project – a controlled study in 12 wards in Bristol. Six wards will have intervention schemes set up; six won’t.
It’s aimed at the 75+ age group, with community activators trained in the requirements of older people. The activators will lead physical
activity sessions, promote physical activity to the older community, support behaviour change and signpost older adults to physical activity opportunities. Working with sedentary men and women aged 65 to 85 in a community setting, including residential care environments, the two-year project will evaluate participation rates and adherence to physical activity, along with health outcomes.
healthclub@leisuremedia.com kath hudson
The leader in specialist cardio exercise for active ageing
“Every industry needs its leaders and, as a Preferred Vendor of the International Council on Active Ageing, SCIFIT delivers real solutions for the active ageing market.” Colin Milner CEO, International Council on Active Ageing
SCIFIT Ltd UK
www.SCIFIT.uk.com Tel 01344 300 022 Email
info@scifit.uk.com
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