A HOMECARE provider has partnered with a boxing and strengthening gym to provide exercise classes for elderly people.
Westmorland Homecare’s Lancaster and Morecambe branch is funding the weekly sessions at Leo’s Gym at Whitefield Place in Morecambe.
“The sessions involve very gentle exercises and are aimed at an older clientele to maintain or build strength,” said Ashleigh Bird, the branch’s care manager.
“We have been doing a lot of work to try to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and a lot of older people who go into hospital do so because of falls so we want to do what we can to prevent that.
“Also, as they get older, a lot of our clients and people we meet report a sense of isolation so by us funding these sessions they can be around like-minded people, having a good chat and enjoying more of a social life.”
The 40-minute sessions, which are held every Tuesday at 11.30am and are free to attend, are open to anyone, including Westmorland Homecare’s clients.
Seven people attended the first class but there is space for 20 in total.
“Two of our office staff went along to the first session and the feedback from them was very positive,” added Ashleigh.
“They said everyone was smiling and having fun and the two strength and conditioning coaches running the class – Carrie Bradburn and Emma Mountain – were brilliant.”
Ashleigh approached Leo’s Gym after attending ladies night box-fit sessions there. “
I chose the gym because it is a really nice environment, they are friendly and not judgmental and it is really fun,” she said.
The new exercise sessions are running on a six-week trial basis and if they prove popular Westmorland Homecare will continue to fund them after that.