| Working with older adults, in the care sector I | | | | extremely important that all service users are |
| have seen many changes over the last six years. | | | | offered the opportunity to exercise. There are a |
| The most encouraging of these is the growing | | | | number of barriers, or 'opportunities' as I prefer |
| recognition that physical activity has an important | | | | to call them, but these are not necessarily linked |
| part to play in later life and EVEN in residential | | | | to race, gender age or disability. Many seniors will |
| care. | | | | NOT consider participating in an organised physical |
| Motivating older adults to join an exercise session | | | | activity due to feelings of depression and a lack |
| is not usually an easy task, in fact I often have | | | | of confidence - these are understandable but |
| comments such as: "I've done my exercise young | | | | need to be overcome as regular activity, even |
| man" and "I spent 50 years in the Navy, why | | | | seated exercise, will help to reduce these |
| should I exercise now?". This may deter those | | | | symptoms and add to a persons quality of life. |
| who are not confident enough in their knowledge | | | | If you start with the right approach, a person |
| of this subject. With the correct training, | | | | should show some level of interest, which can be |
| however, people can learn to recognize the | | | | built upon and no matter how slight this may be, |
| abilities and limitations of their special clients and | | | | there is hope. The next task is to motivate that |
| gain the skills required to encourage participation | | | | person to participate in some form of mental or |
| and ensure the mobility exercises are not childish | | | | physical exercise and afterwards they should feel |
| but are rewarding and enjoyable. | | | | that they have achieved something and enjoyed |
| Talking from experience, the results are rarely | | | | themselves. |
| predictable: some clients become a little stronger, | | | | Similar to the leisure industry, the care sector is |
| more flexible and gain confidence in their balance, | | | | changing and developing and while the media keep |
| others receive psychological benefits such as | | | | telling us that there are potential benefits of |
| feeling happier, more inclined to interact and | | | | exercise for all age groups, I have seen an |
| having an appetite. Of course there are those | | | | encouraging improvement in providing a variety of |
| who won't get either type of benefit and also | | | | therapeutic activities for older adults in residential |
| those who will get both. Whatever the outcome, | | | | care. |
| it's important not to give up - for each person, | | | | On that happy note there are many home |
| every day is different and their next attempt | | | | managers, activity coordinators and carers who |
| may well surprise you - and them! | | | | deserve a 'pat on the back' for ensuring activities |
| In the drive towards person-centred care it's | | | | are for life, not just entertainment. |