The connection between activities and well-being

We often talk about activities a lot at the Bayswood Care Group, but there is scientific evidence that exercise is vital for our well-being. Physical activities release chemicals in our brain that make us feel good – boosting self-esteem and helping concentration levels, improving sleep and making us feel generally healthier. While that is not bad for something that can cost nothing to do, some of our residents prefer not to do anything physical. That is why our carers and activity coordinators are briefed to incorporate small elements of physical activity into their programmes.

We are not talking about training to run in marathons – some of our residents are severely incapacitated. Often exercise may be gentle encouragement not to take lunch and tea in bed, but instead walk down a corridor to the dining room. Other exercise may seem quite passive to younger people – activities such as ‘armchair dancing’, playing skittles, or catching and throwing large soft balls.

The group now has new tablets that residents can play on. The very act of standing in front of a tablet to play a game can beneficial.

More able residents may go out for exercise. We discovered that a resident at Park View Care Home used to play snooker regularly – so the activities coordinator now takes him to a local snooker hall to play the best of three frames. For other residents it is often a case of walking around the garden, local park, or to the shops to buy a few things.

All our homes bring in specialists from outside to run exercise activities, often accompanied by music. We also have friends and family of our staff who volunteer to come in to sing to residents and get them moving in their chairs or standing up to dance.

With some examples above, it’s even more beneficial if we can go outdoors. There is lots of research pointing to the fact nature makes us feel happier. That is why the Bayswood Group places a lot of importance on outdoor areas. Residents have just planted up lots of seedlings at Dane View, ready to plant outside when the warmer weather comes. Both Dane View and Park View have orchards and the fruit from both is used by cooks to make pies and crumbles. We encourage visitors to take their loved ones outside for fresh air.

Both the Mind and the Mental Health Foundation website talk in detail about the link between mental health and activity. It is important for residents to participate in activities and so, if you are a loved one of a resident at a Bayswood Care Group home, please talk to us about the resident’s past interests so that we can see if we can create activities, or versions of activities, that they used to enjoy participating in.