Residents from Trust Housing, a housing support service in East Renfewshire 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.

Staff have been working with Margaret Brown, 79, to help her to move more and to improve her quality of life.  

Trust Housing Manager, Maureen McEwan explained: “Margaret rarely came out of her flat.  She didn’t engage with anyone and spent most of her days alone.  She also wasn’t eating well. 

“Staff have encouraged Margaret to try the meals at lunchtime, meaning that she now is much more mobile and gets out for her meals twice a day instead of once. We’ve also encouraged her to attend social events run at the service which she enjoys and this again, increases her activity.” 

Agnes is Margaret’s daughter in law.  She visits Margaret every day and does ‘sit to stand’ exercises regularly.  These exercises prevent falls, strengthening leg muscles and core, leading to better balance and posture. 

Agnes said: My Mum already finds it easier to get out of her chair.  And she’s only been doing these exercises for six weeks!”

Trust Housing has also just started a community development project with rangers at Rouken Glen Park involving several residents, including Margaret. 

Katy Green, Activity Ranger explained: “We secured some funding to create a Ghillie Dhu Trail within the park.  We’ll work with a community artist who will carry out sessions with older people and younger people in the community to design sign posts for this trail. The sessions will be run once a month until the summer and participants will be shown how to use chisel tools and decorate woodwork.” 

The trail will open later this year. 

Mags Hughes, CAPA Improvement Adviser for East Renfrewshire said: “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 Margaret and the great work happening at Trust Housing. 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.”

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