Exercise is key to 'changing the care sector' says provider of exercise therapy in care homes

Care homes, in which visitors can see a wide range of physical activities and interests being undertaken, are the best medicine for diluting the sector’s negative public image, according to Ben Allen, the founder and chief executive of , which specialises in interactive exercise classes for the care sector.

Indeed, Mr Allen believes that a range of meaningful physical activities are “now a must have rather than a nice to have for any care home,” and that they present ‘a golden chance’ for providers to put ‘the raft of bad press behind them.

Fun activities

carehome.co.uk stats would certainly support the opinion that this niche area of care delivery is now thriving, with the Entertainment section of the website’s products & services section being the second most visited category of all the providers, next only to Recruitment.

As Mr Allen explains, “We are seeing every day how tailored, interactive, regular – and above all inclusive and fun – exercise is already having a positive impact for residents, family, friends and society as well as the care home sector.

“The more pro-active the care home sector is, in more ways than one, the happier and healthier it will be – and so will everybody it serves.”

This vision is one Mr Allen was keen to fulfil when being inspired to launch Oomph! Wellness after visiting care homes in his home town of Scarborough, which had occurred during his work as a personal trainer for the European Institute of Fitness.

His experience in bringing fun and stimulating activities to care homes have since strengthened that vision, leaving him in no doubt that physical activities make older adults happier and healthier, not just in terms of physical health but also wider well-being and quality of life.

Current research

Their enthusiastic approach has also been blended with that of some of the latest studies on older people’s lifestyles from around the world.

Mr Allen, who has achieved all this at only 29 years of age, says: “A recent body of medical research compiled by the highly respected Cochrane Collaboration found evidence that people with dementia who exercise improve their thinking abilities and quality of everyday life.”

He continues: “Evidence from leading UK, US and Israeli university studies have shown physical activities can play a major part in reducing depression and agitation as well as improving social relationships and reducing isolation.”

According to Mr Allen, these studies do not only benefit residents’ health, but also assist care homes and related health services with major cost benefits, thanks to their contribution to reduced hospital admissions.

Amongst the homes that Oomph! have worked with, Mr Allen reports a 28 per cent reduction in falls and injury, which gives the company great satisfaction considering the amount the NHS spends on, for example, hip fracture treatment every year (estimated at £2 billion).

On a personal note Mr Allen continues: “Aside from the science, from my own experience in thousands of care homes, I have seen first hand how exercise puts a smile back on the face of older adults, reducing anxiety and giving an all too rare chance for fellow residents and care sector staff to have fun together.”

Change ahead

On the other hand, despite the business’s success the national picture still requires much scrutiny and development, with studies showing an estimated seven per cent of older adults still not getting the recommended levels of physical activity.

Mr Allen comments: “Things have to change, and in change there is more opportunity for the care sector. The fact is quality of life, not just quality of care, has already become the defining theme that will shape the care sector for the next decade – as discerning care funders and purchasers look for meaningful and measurable social impact.

“This is already happening. High quality, meaningful, measurable and person-centric activities, together with a positive care home culture, are set to form a key part of new Care Quality Commission good and outstanding ratings. These ratings are so important for older adults and family and friends looking for a care home – and therefore for ongoing care home occupancy and yields.”

According to the Oomph! Wellness experience, successful exercise classes are ones that “use simple repetitive actions that improve core strength, functional reach and dexterity; use familiar music from the residents’ youth that stimulates memory and social interaction; and colourful props and fun dance routines that create a party atmosphere that means residents want to come back every week.

“This means, the residents have a great time during the hour-long class, but in reality the real long-term benefits are built up over an extended period and impact on the residents between classes as much as during the classes.”

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