Residents at Forthbank Care Home, Kildean, Stirling are benefiting from Care about Physical Activity (CAPA) – a Care Inspectorate improvement programme to boost physical activity for older people experiencing care by having opportunities to move more.

Experts say moving more often is a really important way for older people to stay healthy and well.

80 year-old resident Beth Craig’s life was transformed by a new exercise programme originally designed for her, then rolled out to other people along the way.

Anne Brown, Wellbeing Coordinator at the home said: “Beth has dementia and often felt quite distressed. Her sleep pattern was poor which caused her to have quite dramatic mood swings. We spoke with Beth’s family who told us that she used to be a very active lady that loved to walk. We wanted to see if we could turn her sleeping pattern around by introducing an exercise programme which might improve her mood, sleep pattern and energy levels.”

Beth loves fish and chips so staff at the home made it Beth’s target to get to the chip shop and back every Friday afternoon. Staff monitored Beth’s sleep from the first week. They had assumed that because Beth was quite independent and walked unaided around the care home that she would be able to walk quite far. However, she only managed about 200 yards on the first walk and was so exhausted that she had to sit on the wall to recover. They had to get a wheelchair to help her back to the home.

Anne continued: “We learned from that so were more prepared the following week. We followed with a chair so that Beth could sit in that for a spell until she felt able to walk again. We then introduced Beth to a fellow resident who also enjoyed walking and they struck up a friendship. Staff began to see Beth become chattier and smile more and over the coming weeks her walks became longer. She was sleeping better too!”

Staff then began to introduce more people to come along on the walks. Beth reached her goal of getting to the chip shop. Her next goal was to get to the local supermarket for a cup of tea (about one mile from the home).

Since then Beth has grown more confident. She now mixes with the group and has also started tai chi, aerobics, life skills and dancing.

Anne said: “We’ve increased Beth’s daily calories so that she has more energy. She is much more toned and has dropped a dress size although she is still the same weight. Beth’s daughter in law, Karen said: “This has really enhanced my Mum’s quality of life and it’s so nice to see her out and about enjoying what she used to like to do. My Mum is a different woman and a joy to be with.”

Staff also say that they are thrilled with the ‘new’ Beth and can’t believe the difference in her.”

Sheena Williamson, CAPA Improvement Adviser for the Stirling area explains: “We know being supported to take part in everyday activities that can become more difficult as we get older, can have a tremendously positive effect on people’s quality of life and their experience of care.

“It’s great to hear about Beth’s story and the great work happening at Forthbank Care Home. CAPA is all about working with people experiencing care to help them to make small improvements that can have a big impact on their quality of life, health and wellbeing.”

As part of CAPA, Forthbank is also working with three ladies at the home to increase and maintain their physical activity levels and improve their balance and walking. These ladies (one is 102 years old) love putting their make up on every day. Staff at the home are encouraging the ladies to sit up and go to the bathroom to do this – rather than just sitting stationary and doing it. They are increasing the distance and the ultimate goal is for the ladies to be able to walk to the nearby college to get a pamper session - and they’re well on their way to meeting their target.

The Care Inspectorate is encouraging all care homes to get involved with promoting physical activity for older people. For more information, visit www.capa.scot