Keeping Fit with Bramley Court Care Home

Bramley Court gets match-fit for judging day

Moss Harrod (90) donned his boxing gloves along with fellow residents Ada Hilbery (97), Dorothy Hanant (81) and Daisy Baytup (aged 101) – who boxes from her wheelchair -for a special practice session with judges on 20th September. The pugilistic foursome have a combined age of 369.

The boxing foursome took part in Bramley Court Care Home’s new weekly circuit training initiative – part of the home’s bid to improve health and well -being for residents through a personalised programme of exercise.

Over half the residents in the home are involved in circuit training – with Moss, Daisy, Ada and Dorothy particularly keen on the boxing element.

Lisa Houghton, manager of Bramley Court says: “All the 13 care homes in our group have been tasked with coming up with new ways of making a difference to our residents’ lives by providing a programme of purposeful and meaningful activities.  We have chosen to significantly step up our approach to exercise with assessments for all residents, regardless of their physical ability and to develop tailored programmes for all. Our new programme has been judged against other initiatives within the group.  We are hoping that Moss, Ada, Daisy and Dorothy’s enthusiasm and expertise caught the judge’s attention!”

Ada says: “I used to box and wrestle with friends of mine in Ilford. I’m a tough old girl, I like a good punch. When they’re in front of me they go down! It’s all good sport”.

Daisy says: “I enjoy it.  I punched Carol, a member of staff, on the nose! She didn’t seem to mind!”

The home are working with Bendie, an organisation that delivers training, assessment and programmes of well-being for older people, to ensure every aspect of their new exercise regime works well for all residents in the home irrespective of how mobile they are.