A WORCESTER care home resident has become the oldest in the country to attend a specialist activity training programme aimed at helping elderly people remain mobile and healthy.
Ninety-four-year-old Marian Hill used to work for Worcestershire’s education department and moved into Fernhill House in Fernhill Heath a few months ago.
A lifelong keep fit enthusiast, Marian was delighted when three staff members taking part in a training course to enable them to run seated physical activity sessions for some of the residents asked if she would attend with them.
And Marian is now looking forward to helping run her first session later this month.
“Just because I’m a bit older now doesn’t mean I can’t keep fit and healthy,” she said.
“Now I just need these octogenarian spring chickens to keep up with me!”
The course participants were given tips on using music and considering what might appeal to a wide range of ages and tastes for the warm-up and activities – something not always considered when motivating older people.
Home manager Peta Mandleberg said: “It’s easy to become sedentary as one gets older, so regular sessions, whether one to one or in groups, can make a real difference to a person’s ability to perform everyday activities such as getting dressed, brushing their own hair, lifting a cup, or simply moving about.”
