On Friday 9 August, First Community’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy team delivered an Olympic-themed chair-based exercise class to support patients recovering from an illness or injury on Caterham Dene Hospital Ward.
The exciting new initiative, helped to improve patients' physical health and mental well-being through engaging and accessible activities inspired by the spirit of the 2024 Olympic games.
The chair based exercises included adaptations of various Olympic sports such as volleyball and football and were tailored specifically to meet the needs of patients with limited mobility. It provided an enjoyable way for them to enhance their strength, flexibility, and overall fitness from their chair, ensuring that all patients could participate regardless of their physical ability.
"We wanted to create a class that was not only effective but also fun and motivating for our patients," said Agata Majchrak, Physiotherapy Team Lead. "By incorporating Olympic themes, we aimed to inspire our patients and make exercise an enjoyable part of their recovery process.
“It was great to see them cheer each other on and celebrate each other's progress. We could certainly spot many competitors amongst the participants!”
In addition to the physical benefits, the Olympic-themed class also focused on improving mental health. Exercise is known to release endorphins, which help elevate mood and reduce anxiety. Patients participating in the class reported feeling more positive and motivated with one commenting, “I’ve had lots of fun, I used to love playing football.”
First Community’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy team based at Caterham Dene Hospital Ward consists of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and rehabilitation assistants who care for patients aged 18 years and over requiring a short-term period of rehabilitation after illness or injury.
The team plan to continue offering the Olympic-themed classes and explore additional ways to integrate sports into patient care.
You can find out more about the team and the Inpatient Intermediate Care Ward at Caterham Dene Hospital on the First Community website: https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/what-we-do/inpatient-intermediate-care-ward-caterham-dene-hospital
Pictured: First Community’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy team based at Caterham Dene Hospital Ward.