FITNESS & EXERCISE
Exercise for every body
The benefits of exercise have long been documented and can have a significant
impact on the wellbeing of older people. Here, Zoe Robson, Lead Exercise Specialist at north- west dementia care provider Belong, advocates incorporating exercise as a fundamental part of customer care planning.
To say regular exercise can be life-changing is perhaps something of an understatement; we’re fortunate enough to have seen some extraordinary outcomes, first-hand. For example, last year, a customer using a wheelchair moved into our Wigan care village. As a result of an autoimmune disease, she was paralysed from the neck down and the team worked closely with her, her family, and local healthcare professionals for her rehabilitation.
Aſter six months, she was able to walk again (with the aid of a walking frame) – it was truly remarkable. Her social life has improved as she now takes part in both weekly group fitness classes and walking around the local area with other customers. With her mobility completely transformed, she has chosen to move from the village’s 24-hour care ‘households’ to the independent living apartments. Of course, it’s an exceptional case, but it exemplifies what can be achieved through exercise.
At the other end of the scale, light exercise completed consistently can be just as fruitful, enhancing physical health and wellbeing. You oſten hear the phrase ‘some is better than none’, and it really is true. No matter the age, ability, or facilities at your disposal, even simple, short exercise sessions can work wonders. One-to-one or in groups, it gives participants something to look forward to and we oſten find those who are less engaged or further along their dementia journeys want to join in when they can see it happening around them.
LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY
For those without access to fitness facilities, there are a wealth of options than can help. When the pandemic started and our on-site gyms temporarily closed, we took inspiration from Joe Wicks and his virtual P.E. lessons for children and the Belong Active YouTube channel was born. As a free resource, it provides fitness tutorials devised specifically for older participants to exercise from their homes with a series of standing, sitting and bed-based routines – with no equipment needed.
A number of our customers seek more of a challenge, so we enrol in the annual Road Worlds for Seniors, a global competition using exercise bikes linked to a screen which enables older people to explore breath-taking landscapes as they cycle. Last year, our residents clocked up more than 1,500 miles – about the equivalent of cycling from John o’ Groats in Scotland to Lee Valley VeloPark in London, and back again. They relished the opportunity for friendly competition with all of our care villages, as well as with others from around the world.
- 38 - PUTTING FITNESS FIRST
Exercise boosts mood, improves sleep and builds strength, balance and coordination, thereby reducing the risk of falls. It can be used to reduce stiffness and pain and to aid recovery from operations. Of course, customers who have had operations will have access to relevant NHS exercise practitioners but the important thing to remember is that there is so much you can do as a care provider, for all your customers.
Daily exercise should be viewed as an intrinsic part of care provision and built into care plans, taking inspiration and opportunities from whatever is available. Build a dialogue with customers and aim to have in place a personalised exercise plan for everyone; that way, you can identify goals and monitor progress and they’ll take joy in seeing positive changes – however great or small – all while benefitting from an increased quality of life.
www.belong.org.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
