Care home residents enjoy exercising with a difference

Care home residents have been getting out and about – from the comfort and safety of their lounge!

Trafford Council gave Bowfell House care home a Motitech exercise bike and the people there have been putting it to good use.

Norwegian company Motitech supplies exercise bikes that link up to TV monitors. These can show holiday destinations that residents might have travelled to in the past or of the local area where residents used to live.

The bikes have shown to help improve mental wellbeing, confidence and strengthened muscles – which has resulted in fewer falls.

Bowfell House, Urmston, has been incorporating the bike into its activities schedule with residents using the bike to improve mobility while also having fun.

Betty has not been able to use her left leg since having a stroke. However, the bike could be adapted to suit her needs and she is now able to move her left leg for the first time in a long time.

Jude and Irene both have pain their knee joins but gentle movement on the bike enables them to activate their legs in a safe, comfortable and fun way.

Dennis has found that using the bike helps him to relax, especially as he can sing along to the music that accompanies videos on the Motiview app.

Meanwhile Allwyn has enjoyed the experience of cycling again as she used to do a lot of cycle touring with her husband. Her routine has involved a lot of videos of places where they used to ride on their travels.

Not all residents have ridden on the bike – but have enjoyed watching the videos, singing to the music and cheering on the cyclists instead.

A spokesperson for Bowfell said: “The bike is clearly more than just exercise for our residents – it is a brilliant reminiscence aide and conversation starter; it brings people together and brings back memories – connecting them to people and places that matter to them.”

Cllr Jo Harding, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:

This is a fantastic way for residents to stay active, while enjoying themselves. It is a Council priority for all our residents to improve their health and wellbeing and we are delighted to have partnered with Bowfell to deliver on that priority.”