'Lockdown proof' group exercises lift the moods of care home residents

The adoption of ‘lockdown proof’ exercises is lifting the mood and mobility of young and old people living in care homes in and around Bradford.

A rise in the mental as well as physical strength of care home residents has been reported by Czajka Care, after it bought new fitness equipment and trained its care staff to be exercise coaches.

‘We are delighted to see so much enthusiasm and improvements’

Czajka Care group, which runs five care homes, saw improvements in the spirits and mobility of residents when it re-started regular group exercise classes.

The exercised included chair ‘aerobics’, stretching exercises, seated marches, gentle resistance movements and catching and throwing games. Czajka Care Group cares for more than 250 retired and disabled people in West Yorkshire. Staveley Birk Leas care home, which is run by the group, supports people from the age of 18 to 64, who have a wide variety of needs including amputees, people with brain injuries, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neuron Disease, Huntington’s, Epilepsy and many other complex conditions.

First lockdown led to 'reduction of structured exercise'

Konrad Czajka, the managing director of Czajka Care Group said: “When the first lockdown hit, a lot of our fitness and music classes, that are hosted by external specialists, had to stop.

“Our priority was keeping our residents safe, but unfortunately this did result in a reduction of structured exercise amongst our residents.”

A recent report by the National Care Forum and the University of Leeds, which studied the pandemic’s impact on care home residents’ fitness, recommended care homes employ exercise instructors who can train care staff and help them access online exercise programmes for older people. It stated that staff should take “creative approaches” to enhance levels of physical activity and encourage them to exercise alone if they are self-isolating.

Konrad Czajka said he had "invested in specialist exercise equipment and trained our activity co-ordinators and care workers to take on the role of exercise coach.”

“We have been proactive, learning new skills and ensuring that our residents are still able to get together at least once a week in a group setting to take part in exercise and movement classes”.

The company owns and operates Fairmount Nursing Home, Brookfield Care Home and Staveley Birk Leas Nursing Home, Currergate Nursing Home and Beanlands Nursing Home.

Konrad Czajka added: “The pandemic has brought so many challenges and restrictions, but we were really keen to reinstate exercise classes as soon as it was possible.

“The exercise classes also build residents’ confidence levels, and encourage them to take small, but important steps forward. Balance and co-ordination are also big focusses for the classes, and we are delighted to see so much enthusiasm and improvements amongst our residents.”

The managing director also stressed the importance of making sure everyone feels comfortable and in control along with the gradual introduction of exercises that are fun.

He said the use of soft, lightweight equipment, game play and music, has meant “residents are always keen to take part.”

Throwing beanbags at targets has also led to “some competitive spirit” amongst residents with the use of musical instruments that can be shaken, keeping residents “keen to try something new".

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