Exercise


his career he was a war pilot, so we created a narrative around using the equipment with the aim of ‘fixing’ it, while using an on- screen flight simulation programme to set the scene. He really engaged as we praised him for helping us achieve our mission. Though it may seem improbable, the end goal of supporting his health was always in sight – and that is what matters. People sometimes need a little


encouragement to get started. Some may have never exercised. Others may view it as intimidating or might not be comfortable with someone watching them. Whatever the reason, the choice to exercise is personal, and it is important to respect this. Nevertheless, there are a number of things we can do to subtly encourage fitness uptake, often with very little perceived investment from the individual.


Leveraging technology


For those without access to fitness facilities, there are a wealth of options that can help. At the height of the pandemic, for example, with 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. We use specialist gym equipment for


older people, including hi-tech SilverFit virtual reality exercise equipment. This includes large mobile screens, viewed by residents while participating in exercise and transporting them overseas to view breathtaking scenery while cycling and walking in the gym. Virtual reality games also help give individuals targeted support to build strength, balance, cognition, or movement. Games are also designed to stimulate brain function, with different patterns for people living with dementia, Parkinson’s, or recovering from a stroke. These are linked to the personalised assessments and are based on the science that when we engage our brains in games in this way, it prompts our bodies to move almost ‘in spite of ourselves’. The use of these technologies has extended periods of exercise on a machine – with most people happily exercising for 15 minutes where they may previously only have managed five.


A number of our customers seek more of a challenge, so we enrol in the annual Road


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Worlds for Seniors, a global competition using exercise bikes linked to the virtual reality equipment which enables older people to explore breath-taking landscapes as they cycle. On one occasion, 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.


Creating culture


Belong’s approach is based on promoting independence, encouraging customers to do as much as they can for themselves, rather than others doing things for them. Allowing more time to achieve this may be necessary, though the benefits reaped are worth the investment, and this is why colleagues play a key role in the culture of exercise. Support workers do a fantastic job and their temptation to feel protective of those in our care is natural, such as ensuring they do not overexert themselves or cause themselves an injury. As exercise specialists, it is our role to train teams as to how they can incorporate fitness into customers’ everyday living. Where in-house expertise is not


available, engage a local personal trainer or gym with expertise in working with older people and invite them to lead talks and provide ideas. We are a passionate bunch, so it will be pleasantly surprising to find we are more than willing to share our knowledge with others.


Reaping rewards Science has long evidenced the link between being physically active and living a healthy, happy life, and its role in preventing falls and aiding rehabilitation cannot be ignored. Our bodies are designed to move. This is reflected in a track record of tremendous outcomes for individuals as a result of personalised exercise programmes at Belong villages. These include supporting


people to walk again after they have been led to believe this would not be possible. For example, a lady who regained mobility in order to be able to walk her daughter down the aisle after two years with lymphedema. We have supported people to realise other personal goals, such as dancing again after periods of immobility, and one customer was supported to play golf after a programme of exercise to strengthen his arms following two strokes. Belong also worked with a person who lives with cerebral palsy at a local supported housing scheme and has seen reduced falls and improved balance, strength, and co-ordination as a result of his exercise programme.


We should aim to avoid sedentary lifestyles as much as possible and help older people to embrace even the smallest opportunities throughout the day to keep active and access the benefits exercise has to offer. 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 will take joy in seeing positive changes – however great or small – all while benefitting from an increased quality of life.


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Zoe Robson


Zoe Robson is lead exercise specialist at not-for-profit dementia care village operator Belong and physical activity and nutrition advisor for the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA). She has extensive experience of delivering personalised exercise and rehabilitation programmes to improve health and wellbeing, including for people living with neurological conditions.


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com January 2025


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