Staying active is important as we age, but it can be difficult to know which exercises are suitable and how to move safely without injuring yourself.
Residents at Nodens Manor Care Home, part of Elmfield Care Group, are being encouraged to stay active with regular Tai Chi classes led by Michelle Gardiner from White Lotus Martial Arts Martial Arts.
Michelle explains how Tai Chi can be beneficial for care home residents, and support their mobility and confidence.
Michelle says: “I’m really passionate about active ageing, and I have seen first-hand how much Tai Chi can support mobility, balance, strength, flexibility and even cardio fitness.
“When teaching older adults, it’s really important to relate the Tai Chi movements to activities of daily living, such as picking objects up and maintaining stability while moving around.
“One of the benefits of Tai Chi is that it’s adaptable to all levels of mobility and health. Every exercise can be carried out seated, or with a chair for support.
“When clients are seated, it’s really important to practise ‘active sitting’, which involves sitting upright, away from the back of the chair. Simply maintaining this position means we’re already using more muscles.
“Whilst many people may assume that balance is the most common physical improvement, and whilst I’ve seen lots of improvement there, the greatest progress I see is in people’s mobility.
“Mobility is key to living your best life. Once it’s there, we can strengthen muscles and improve balance, which is exactly what Tai Chi helps support.
“From the very first session, you can start to see how beneficial Tai Chi can be. Changes can happen right from day one, but I tend to see more significant progress within three to six months.
“I’d hate to think where I’d be without it, so sometimes it’s about being proactive too.
“Tai Chi can be beneficial for people with different types of arthritis, as well as other chronic or degenerative conditions. It can also support prehab before operations or treatment and rehab afterwards.
“As it is a low-impact exercise, it can provide a tough workout but without the strain. The slow, controlled movements help to strengthen the muscles and support the body’s wider systems.”
Naomi D’Andrea, General Manager at Nodens Manor shares: “The most important thing is to keep moving. Finding exercises you enjoy means you’re much more likely to stick with them, and regular movement helps maintain strength, independence and confidence as you age.
“You don’t need a gym to build strength. Just 15 minutes a few times a week can help. Try five minutes of brisk walking, five minutes of gentle chair-based exercises, followed by five minutes of gentle balance exercises.
“Small, consistent movements like these can help improve strength, balance and confidence over time.”