Northbourne care home calls for activity among community

We are encouraging the nation to get active this spring. 

Betty Roberts, a resident at Northbourne care home in Gateshead had been struggling with feeling unsteady on her feet and had fallen several times as a result. However, after Wellbeing Manager, Helen Core, created a personalised exercise plan for her, she was able to incorporate the simple exercises into her daily routine. Her daughter Trish has helped Betty to keep up with the exercises and she hasn’t had any further falls. Both Betty and Trish can see the huge impact doing these standing exercises has had on Betty’s recovery and wellbeing.

Trish has been spending some time on her daily visits helping Betty to get moving, a great example of how family and friends can get involved and help each other stay active this spring.

Helen Core, Wellbeing Manager at Anchor, says:

Supporting our residents to enjoy movement in later life is something we champion here at Anchor – we see the benefits first-hand every day. After giving Betty eight exercises to specifically strengthen her legs, she’s really seen an improvement in her physical wellbeing. It’s been amazing to see her progress as she’s gone through the exercise plan. 

Having her daughter help her has also been beneficial. Engaging in physical activity together isn’t just great for physical health but can also be a fun and engaging way to connect and be active. This spring we’re encouraging the public to join together and get moving!

Easter weekend could be the perfect time to get moving with loved ones. Whether it’s going for a short walk with friends and family, doing some gardening, or Easter egg hunts, spring provides more opportunities to get outdoors and get moving as the weather warms up.

Our colleagues and residents, like Betty, have already been showing the nation how it’s done through their inclusive #MoveIntoMarch initiative. Having clocked up an impressive 1,397 hours of activity during March by finding fun ways to get active – from our own Zest and Be Active workout series to sociable walks and talks – we are urging the nation to get active to benefit their wellbeing.

Betty Roberts, 92, a resident at Northbourne care home in Gateshead says: 

Since starting the exercises I was given to help me feel less wobbly and to avoid further falls, I’ve really started to see the benefits of keeping active in later life. It’s been great to get my daughter Trish involved on her visits too. It’s clear that finding joy in movement is so important in staying fit and healthy as you get older!

We offer our inclusive physical activity programme Zest Wellbeing across all our care locations. Zest sessions are designed to be suitable for all needs and abilities and feature a mix of active routines, dance moves, mobility work, and gentle moving and stretching to make sure there is something to suit everyone. Recordings of Zest sessions are also available to residents via the Zest Wellbeing YouTube channel, making them accessible at any time. 

Get involved by posting pictures of you being active on Twitter and tagging @AnchorLaterLife so we can see what you get up to!

For inspiration look at the hashtag #MoveIntoMarch or visit anchor.org.uk/moveintomarch to see how residents and colleagues have been getting moving.

For more information on Northbourne care home please click here.