Residents from Parkdale Care Home, Auchterarder 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 it is a really important way for older people to stay healthy and well.

Resident Jessie Brown, 88 has a tremor and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Anxiety makes her very breathless which can prevent her from doing what she wants to do. Through CAPA, staff at the home have helped Jessie to reduce her anxiety and increase her independence and she feels freed to move more.

Tracey Palmer, Care Home Coordinator explained: "Jessie would often go out for a trip in the car with her daughter, Janice, and although Janice would try to persuade her to leave the car, Jessie lacked the confidence to publicly transfer from the car to her wheelchair. Her condition and lack of confidence was proving to be a barrier.

"Our team practised getting in and out of the car with Jessie. Jessie soon became confident doing this with our support and agreed that she would try and get out of the car when she next went out with Janice.

"We also offered to go with them on their next trip to provide support."

During this time, staff from the home also worked further with Jessie to increase her strength and mobility around the care home, and this also increased her confidence to move about more freely.

Tracey continued: "Janice is now able to take her mum out knowing that she has the confidence to fully participate in the outing. Jessie still needs some level of assistance but her confidence is hugely improved. This has made a big difference to both their lives. Janice now knows that she can add shopping trips with her mum in addition to her visits to Parkdale."

Janice commented: "Once again the staff at Parkdale have worked their magic and improved my mum’s quality of life."

Sheena Williamson, CAPA Improvement Adviser for the Perth and Kinross 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 Jessie and the great work happening at Parkdale 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."

Jessie is now also able to enjoy other activities at the home. As part of CAPA, Parkdale signed up to a six week adapted bicycle project through Bells Sports Centre. Jessie was one of three residents who took part and staff report that this increased her mobility and strength even more. And that she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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