Beating dementia with bikes - care home residents get peddling in virtual contest

Residents in care homes across the country will be peddling like mad this month in a virtual cycling contest launched by Motitech and supported by the National Care Forum.

The Road Worlds for Seniors Championship is a virtual cycling event running throughout September to encourage older people to take part in a competitive sport.

Older people and those with dementia will be having a workout at care homes across the country.

The cyclists will have a choice of 1,700 locations on stationary bikes with a video projection that plays whilst the person pedals.

“The National Care Forum are delighted to be supporting this initiative," said Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum (NCF).

"The Road Worlds for Seniors 2019 cycling event is a fantastic example of the commitment towards active and engaging lives care homes embrace.”

For each film there is a large selection of playlists to choose from and are designed specifically for the residents to give it a personal touch, setting it in a familiar place.

This element of Motiview is especially important for those who live with dementia, as it provokes fond memories of familiar locations, such as their home town, or favourite holiday location, sparking conversations that bring the memories back to life.

Motiview can also be used in preventive care

It has proven to be important in preventing injuries such as hip fractures as well as depression.

In July, Sunrise of Winchester residents, families and team members hosted a 'bikeathon' with a difference. It was achieved via a combination of specially adapted exercise bikes and Motitech immersive video technology Motiview. All participants managed to cycle an impressive 301.7km to raise £400 for a Winchester hospice.

Louise Murkin, activities and volunteer coordinator at Sunrise of Winchester said: “Our residents have cycled over 1,800km since the bikes first arrived at Winchester in March, and they have become an integral part Sunrise’s activity plan.

"The Motiview bikes use innovative technology which enables residents to cycle whilst visiting different locations around the world.

“The activity helps residents, including those living with dementia, to keep active, fit and engaged, so that they can continue to live happy and fulfilling lives."

'It has been really extraordinary to see my mother change'

Sunrise of Winchester residents have also taken part in a video highlighting how technology is helping dementia patients to take part in exercise and improve their cognitive ability.

In the video, Jean Borchersen, 88, cycles through Rome in Italy. Ms Borchersen said: "I was in a wheelchair at one point, then I graduated to a walker, the next thing it will be the marathon."

“It has been really extraordinary to see my mother change,” says Jane Cereda, Jean’s daughter.

“Three years ago, she was pretty much bedridden, and to see her now exercising on a daily basis like this is extraordinary."

Motiview was first introduced to the elderly in Bergen, Norway and has proven benefits in improved mobility, increased appetite, better sleep patterns, improved wellbeing and social interaction.

Stian Lavik, chief business officer, Motitech said: “This mindset and philosophy derives from a Nordic startup trend to focus on how technology is enriching lives.

“Users achieve better strength, better balance, have better nights’ sleep, are in less pain, experience an improvement in appetite, reduced anxiety, have better social interactions, and even see reduced dementia symptoms as a result of this channelled reminiscing and physical activity.”

Since its launch in 2013, the project has been rolled out to more than 300 different care homes, daycare centres and hospitals across the world including Canada and Germany.

There are currently 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over one million by 2025. This will soar to 2 million by 2051.

Ms Murkin said: “We have had really good feedback from residents and their families about how motivated they have become through using Motiview bikes.

“We are really pleased with the positive impact that the new activity has had on the whole Sunrise community and most importantly, the residents we support.”

For more information regarding Motitech's Road Worlds for Seniors click here

click here for more details or to contact Winchester Heights Care Home - Avery Collection