Staff and residents at a care home in Dorchester have been taking part in some friendly sporting competition.
Maiden Castle House care home enjoyed an action-packed calendar of unique exercises, fun games, and healthy competition for their very own Sports Week.
The care home is burning off the Christmas calories with some light exercise through a range of fun activities and initiatives.
The staff and residents at the Dorchester care home kicked off their year of fitness with 10 activities designed to give all the residents an exercise to take part in.
The Maiden Castle House Sports Week, which ran from January 8 to January 12, began with Communifit, training sessions designed to be social and inclusive, followed by gentle exercise and Tai Chi which helps residents maintain strength, flexibility, and balance.
Paul, a resident, said: “It’s been so much fun. I especially enjoyed the Tai Chi which I felt was very peaceful.”
The action continued with a volleyball competition and a few legs of darts, inspired by the recent World Darts Championship.
The busiest day of activity came on the last day of the event with golf putting and table tennis.
This was followed by some three-wheeled antics with Cycling Without Age, a not-for-profit organisation where volunteers take older people and those with mobility difficulties out on ‘trishaw’ cycle rides.
AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust also visited the home for football training.
The week concluded with a pedal exercisers contest, encouraging staff and residents to engage in some healthy competition.
Ashley Smith, home manager at Maiden Castle House, said: “We really enjoyed our week of sport and exercise. It was a fun way to get everyone moving and there’s been an activity for everyone to be involved in. It’s very important to give residents in our care the opportunity to engage in light exercise as there are so many physical, mental, and social benefits.”
Sport and light exercise features across the activity calendar at Maiden Castle House to promote better balance, healthier lifestyles, and improved wellbeing, while encouraging residents to be more sociable.
It is part of Care South, a not-for-profit provider of high quality residential and care at home services across the south of England.
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