Exercise
Embedding exercise in care environments
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 dementia care village operator Belong, advocates making exercise a fundamental part of customer care planning and design, and shares how simple ideas can achieve substantial results
To say that regular exercise can be life- changing is perhaps something of an understatement. We have countless stories of customers regaining mobility and independence after coming to us from other care settings after operations, long term bed rest, or even for end-of-life care. For example, a customer who was
paralysed from the neck down as a result of an autoimmune disease moved to our Belong Wigan care village, and the team worked closely with her, her family, and local healthcare professionals to support her rehabilitation. After six months, she was able to walk again (with the aid of a walking frame). It was a truly remarkable result. Her social life improved and she was able to take part in weekly group fitness classes and walk around the local area with other customers. With her mobility completely transformed, she chose to move from one of the village’s ‘households’, where 24-hour care is provided, to the independent living apartments. Of course, this is 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 for enhancing and maintaining physical health and wellbeing. No matter your 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 often find those who are less engaged or further along their dementia journeys want to join in when they can see it happening around them.
Benefits As we get older, remaining active becomes increasingly important for our ability to stay independent and enjoy a good quality
January 2025
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
of life, while bed rest or immobility can lead to the loss of basic motor skills such as standing and walking. The NHS Physical Activity Guidelines for adults over 65 recommend at least 2½ hours of moderate intensity exercise each week, supplemented by 75 minutes of vigorous exercise for those who are already active. Apart from aiding recovery from illness, injury, or surgery, exercise boosts mood, improves sleep, and builds strength, balance, and coordination. This plays a role in reducing a common cause for concern for older people: falls. Each year, around one in three adults aged 65+ will have a fall. This
No matter your age, ability, or facilities at your disposal, even simple, short exercise sessions can work wonders
increases to one in two for those aged 80, and falls are the number one reason for A&E admissions for older people in the UK. Even a stumble can have a huge impact on an older person’s confidence. It might discourage them from eating or drinking because they fear a repeat incident when walking to the bathroom. The psychological impact cannot be underestimated.
Personalised approach Belong has long made exercise a fundamental part of its culture and care provision, including making it a measurable key performance indicator, reported on at Board level. Each village has its own on-site gym and dedicated exercise specialist – qualified personal trainers with experience of working with older people, who work alongside other local healthcare professionals, such as GPs and physiotherapists, to create personalised exercise programmes for individuals.
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