Peterborough United Foundation run weekly chair-based exercise sessions at the Dementia Resource Centre in Peterborough. We caught up with Dougie, one of the group’s longest attending members, for his thoughts on the session.
We are currently delivering chair-based exercises in local care homes and at the Dementia Resource Centre, Peterborough PE1 3BP, every Friday from 1 – 2pm. Sessions are £3 per person with the first 3 sessions free of charge.
Our classes aim to support mental and physical wellbeing focusing on:
- Increased flexibility and strength. Bone density and muscles weaken as we get older so it is important to gently exercise to keep active and maintain strength.
- Increased coordination. Learning a routine and the repetitive nature of the exercises can also be good for dementia patients. The exercises also help with posture and straight alignment of the spine.
- Increased circulation. This also means a faster healing of injuries and wounds, faster sickness recovery time, greater lung capacity and much easier mobility.
- Reduced risk of falls because chair-based exercises improve posture and balance.
- Increased confidence and self-esteem.
Dougie’s goal was to keep exercising and raise his activity levels after his diagnosis. He achieved this by attending Peterborough United Foundation’s sessions at the Dementia Resource Centre – which has helped him to focus on his goal and remain motivated to achieve it.
Dougie has been attending our chair-based exercise sessions regularly over a sustained period of time and finds joy in attending them each week. He enjoys making everyone in the group laugh alongside the exercise.
“I know my limits with the exercises and when having my cancer treatment, I was still able to be part of the group, without taking part in all of the exercises. The group helps with routine and memory.” Dougie said.
For more information about this session or any of our other Health & Wellbeing sessions, please email Community@theposh.com!