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Physiofit has an experienced team of later life specialist physiotherapists offering treatments to patients in their own home or their care home. The team are passionate about supporting older people to be the very best they can be whatever their age. With the correct support and training, movement and independence can be maintained for much longer. Our Later Life team is privileged to work with some truly amazing older people in our community. As part of our Older People's Day celebrations on 1st October we wanted to share some of their experiences and contributions with you.
Meet Betty
Betty's respite stay was in the home of her old RAF training site...
Recently, we caught up with Betty, a lady who we had the fortune of meeting during her two-week respite stay at her care home where we offer physiotherapy. Physiofit can support these short-term boosts by assessing a patients' needs and adapting rehabilitation goals for each person. They can also be a great stepping stone from hospital, when we can continue with a pro-active therapy regime following surgery or period of acute illness, supporting that next step back to your own home.
She shared some of her WAAF experiences with us. "I joined the WAAF in 1942 with a school friend when we lived in Reading. Our initial training was in Morecombe where we did a lot of marching up and down the prom. I had never been so far north before! In 1947, I was at RAF Helmswell in Lincolnshire where I met my husband, Roy and I was sent to Wilmslow for corporal's training, I don't remember much about it except for the square bashing (drill) and that we used to go to the NAAFI hut, situated then in the pretty gardens near St. Bart's Church in Wilmslow. I was training to be a meteorological assistant - we were called Met WAAFS. There were fun aspects to the job e.g. if there was low cloud we measured its height by sending up a hydrogen filled balloon and followed it with a theodolite until it disappeared into the clouds."
Betty settled with her husband in Wilmslow where Roy's family came from. Little did I think all those years ago that one day I would be back living on the site of the old RAF camp. Life is full of surprises...!!
Next we have Patrick
Think you can run a mile in less than four minutes?
That was the size of the task our newest recruit of the "fit for later life" group faced when he ran against a young Sir Roger Bannister! At 90, Patrick still enjoys exercise having maintained a love of sport throughout his life.
The Physiofit Fit for later life class is an exercise group which targets strength, balance and flexibility alongside fall prevention in a small group setting promoting group improvement alongside individually tailored goals.
Move it like Monica
Fitness in later life...
Monica is in her 90's and has lived in the Wilmslow area for over 40 years. Formerly a well-respected chemist Monica has always been an advocate for exercise and healthy living.
Historically she has enjoyed walking and yoga classes and is now showing us why fitness is important in all stages of life. Following a prolonged period of illness, Monica is currently a resident at one of our local care homes.
She has been receiving weekly Physiotherapy from Kelly Wright, our specialist Physiotherapist for falls prevention and elderly care. Over the last year Physiotherapy has helped Monica to maintain some independence, promote prevention of falls and posture awareness and contribute to her general wellbeing.
A typical physiotherapy session includes mobility practice often down to the library area or out to the gardens, standing strength and balance exercise with support from a heavy chair or the wall bars and seated exercises and strengthening with an exercise band or weights.
Following a recent training course, we are looking to introduce some basic Tai Chi soon too! Monica reports that she looks forward to her weekly physio sessions and an opportunity to walk out a little further than normal.
Dedication from the Doctor
Dr Geoffrey had to choose between sport and medicine
In late 1940's I played cricket for Lancashire minor counties team. The last match I played, I not only opened the bowling and took wickets I managed to score 150 runs. At the time I was playing cricket, I was also taking my final exam for my studies of being a doctor and I had to make the decision to give up cricket and I made the decision to marry my darling Marjorie in January 1949.
At one stage during the last 2 years Dr Geoffreys loss of mobility due to pain and hip instability was marked. At his lowest point, he was struggling to complete a walk of 100 yards indoors. He worked regularly on an exercise programme as if training for that bowling spell and in April this year he completed a 1 mile walk outside on behalf of the stroke association, all of us at Physiofit were so proud of his efforts.
He is still walking the course regularly, continuing to get stronger, reporting today that he has completed his mile much quicker. Research shows that muscle bulk can be built up in people well into their 90's it just requires some adaptation of strength training, with lots of repetition At Physiofit we can help you devise that plan, monitor and show you how to progress, helping you to reach your goals.
Audrey with the voice of an Angel
Singing brings pleasure to Audrey
Audrey has Parkinsons Disease (PD), she is very quietly spoken... until she starts to sing. Her voice projection improves, her depth of breathing improves and she smiles.
She has always had a love of music she relaxes with Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson playing in the background but like many others with PD when it comes to moving she gets cueing and timing assistance from the beat and will use anything from Rapp music to Val Doonican during therapy sessions!
Her favourite afternoon is when she and her daughter go to the inspirational Vibrant Choir. This is an Altrincham-based choir made up of people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke survivors and their carers.
At Physiofit we are excited about the recent research showing how new therapy approaches are positively influencing the progression of this disease. We have PD Warrior trained therapists and are in the process of starting a pro-active therapy class, people will need lots of motivation, enthusiasm and commitment for this high energy neuro-active circuit class.
We also loved the tai-chi and pilates class we saw at the Alex Project during their busy Wednesday meeting. Our Nordic Walking groups are fab for ensuring good trunk mobility and an all over work-out.
Neuro physio and massage are also available from our Physiofit team. If you are affected by Parkinson's Disease did you know there is a fantastic local resource that meets every week at Bollington leisure centre?
Why not join our fit for later life class? Held at Festival Hall. Alderley Edge.
Every Tuesday and Friday morning. Contact Physiofit for more details 01625 590444
"It's made the world of difference to me" Mr B
All our appointments will be booked either via the website, through the central reception at Alderley Edge on 01625 590444 or via email [email protected].
To find out more about Physiofit and our services look at our website www.physiofit.co.uk.
