Activity
explored how we could include Jenny in the programme. The heart of this organisation is to ensure that everyone has opportunity to live the best life possible and be treated with dignity. This incident had a profound impact on my colleague and I and we have since begun to explore how we could instil this attitude into our training programmes.
Activities for all
It is too easy to assume that our residents will not be able to join in some or all of the exercises. Although this may well be the case, should we be the ones to make that decision for them? During our training, we gently encourage our students to try to find a way to engage their residents. We encourage the use of equipment such as balls, scarves, drumsticks, and gym balls in our seated drum-based exercise programme. I had a lovely time recently, visiting a local care home for weekly activity sessions. It took me few sessions to get the lie of the land: one man loved Elvis; one lady did not join in but liked to fold the scarves and put them in a neat pile; one lady did not move but sang along to the music; and several residents did not respond at all until I gave them something to hold. So each
Karen Case
Karen Case has worked in the fitness industry since 2001 and has numerous fitness qualifications including Pilates and yoga. She continues to teach weekly fitness classes, with fun and great music always a priority. Specialising in developing activity programmes for older people and people with disabilities, she founded LifeDock Training with her business partner (and mentor) Jacquie Guinn in 2003. LifeDock’s physical activity programmes promote physical, mental, and social wellbeing, equipping staff and volunteers in care settings across the UK to keep people moving and active. Karen
week we started the session with plastic fly swats and a balloon and played balloon tennis. I then introduced target games and created teams, resulting in friendly rivalry and gentle banter. These sessions were punctuated with chair-based routines to music promoting mobility, strength, and balance. We have had the pleasure of partnering
with care providers who have the most amazing creativity and are passionate about the people they care for. With a tiny bit of extra effort and awareness, we can move from delivering something at people to engaging with them. The difference can be extraordinary – and rewarding for all concerned: visiting family members, care home staff, and residents alike.
n
is married with two grown up daughters, a husband, and a giant schnauzer called Henry. She is also the captain of the Lagan Dragons, a dragon boat team, for people affected by breast cancer.
Care
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com May 2023
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