Namaste! Harrow care home residents now enjoy regular yoga

A care home in Harrow has introduced something a bit different to its activity schedule – with residents now taking part in yoga. 

Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill now hosts regular yoga sessions run by the home’s Customer Relations Manager, Lorelei Shepherd.

 

The move came after team members at the home sought to come up with new and exciting activities the residents wanted to try - so now they enjoy cultivating their mind-body connection in the home’s garden. The sessions combine stretching and strengthening postures with deep breathing and relaxation, and join the twice-weekly chair-based workout and aerobics that residents already enjoy.

So far, the initiative has been a hit among residents and the home is making it a regular activity. 80-year-old Vasanti Pawar, a resident at Buchanan Court, said: “I really enjoy meditation and yoga – I have enjoyed this type of exercise for years.”

Norma Vidot, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “Our newest activity has proved a hit with residents!  We’re always encouraging residents to try new things, and we help residents recognise they can participate in something even if at first they’re not sure. 

“Exercising regularly has many benefits for older people, especially those living with dementia – which is why we make sure to incorporate as many movement-based activities as possible in our weekly programme. Yoga is ideal as it can easily be adapted to suit all fitness and skill levels since the poses may simply be tweaked or customised to meet an individual's needs – meaning residents can choose to remain seated while performing the poses. 

“We’re looking forward to learning new poses as we go – it’s definitely never too late to start!”

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own bar and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation. 

To find out more about Buchanan Court, please call Customer Relations Manager, Lorelei Shepherd, on 020 3504 7835, or email lorelei.shepherd@careuk.com.

For general information please visit, careuk.com/buchanan-court