Bristol care home brings the gym to its residents

Care home provider Brunelcare has begun weekly gym sessions at Deerhurst care home, in Soundwell, Bristol, looking to show how fitness and mobility can be supported in older people.

Incorporating a wide range of equipment, including mini-trampolines, balance boards, exercise bikes, tennis racquets and even boxing gloves, the sessions are envisioned as benefitting even those with complex round-the-clock care needs or a dementia diagnosis.

Chartered physiotherapist Andy Stenner explains: “In addition to the physical benefits the sessions can also help mentally. Being part of the ‘exercise group’, doing an activity you thought you might not do again and seeing yourself improve at a skill are all valuable benefits of the sessions.”

He continues: “I think it is important to keep individuals as independent as possible, whatever level of physical or mental disability they may have. It is our responsibility to ensure that people have the stimulation and opportunity so they can challenge and maintain a level of independence, regardless of being in a care home.”

Having worked with NHS services in the Bristol and Bath areas, Mr Stenner is delighted to bring his expertise to Deerhurst and hopes other facilities will consider such a step.

He comments: “I saw the opportunity to offer exercise sessions where I could offer ‘gym’ and ‘sporting’ equipment in addition to the typical chair exercises that are commonly done. It can be an easy option for people to spend a lot of time being inactive, the problem being that we become good at the things we practice!”

Manager of the home, Lesley Hobbs, claims that positive impacts can already be seen, saying: “These sessions have allowed us to positively encourage residents to reach goals they may not have thought possible. We’ve had one gentleman with Parkinson’s and who is wheelchair bound actually get up and have a go on the step – Andy has shown us that it’s ok to push people beyond what they, and we, think their limits are in a controlled environment.

“We are an active care home, constantly providing a variety of activities to keep residents stimulated, showing that with a little bit of thought and commitment, care homes can be vibrant and stimulating places to live too.”

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