81-year-old Victor Hill from Downpatrick has found a new sense of strength and confidence after taking part in a 12-week Strength and Balance Exercise Class at Downe Hospital, following a number of falls at home.
Victor was referred to the South Eastern Trust’s Falls Prevention Team and took part in the 12-week programme which is designed to help patients improve their strength balance and posture while supporting them to maintain their independence.
Held in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym at the Downe Hospital, the weekly classes combine a range of gentle exercises including chair-based activities which help patients safely work on their strength and balance.
For Victor, the difference has been significant. He says he has noticed an improvement in the strength and mobility in his lower legs and is determined to continue with the exercises he has learned.
Throughout the 12-week programme, Victor along with other patients, has been put through his paces with Trust Falls Assessor, Kirsty Morgan. Victor shared how much he enjoyed the classes which incorporated a series of gentle chair exercises to improve strength, balance and posture.
Victor said, “I am using muscles that you would not always at home and I will keep doing the exercises. I really am going to miss the classes and I would recommend them to anybody. What I have learnt from Kirsty with the exercises, I will take away with me and keep it up.”
South Eastern Trust, Falls Assessor for the Falls Prevention Team, Kirsty Morgan leads the classes and says it is rewarding to see patients grow in confidence as the programme progresses.
Kirsty explained, “As part of our Strength and Balance Exercise Class we work on improving the strength of our patients’ legs, we work on their hip muscles and try to work on perfecting their balance.
“There is a social side to our classes as well as the patients meet every Monday. We see the confidence our patients build as the weeks go on. We see how they are walking that bit better, how their posture is improving. It is great to see how much our patients enjoy the classes and their enthusiasm for the exercises.”
Kirsty stressed how their classes and rehabilitation is all about keeping independence for the patient.
Kirsty added, “When we are not able to move as well, independence comes away. Rehab is all about keeping your independence. Exercise is about keeping healthy and when we feel healthy, our mental health is better. It all connects and it is a great service that we provide for our patients.”