Take a peek into Grassacres Hall in Westbury on a Friday morning and you could see people high-kicking to Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York; stretching and moving to Dancing Queen by Abba or punching the air to Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.
It’s all part of Movement for the Mind classes set up by Wiltshire charity, Alzheimer’s Support, for people living with dementia and their carers, where having fun and making new friends is every bit as important as the exercise.
“Anyone can come along to Movement for the Mind, we won’t make them do press-ups!” says instructor Pash Ashley. “Not everyone can do all of the exercises, but people work within their limitations so are still actively participating. People with restricted mobility and wheelchair users are welcome to come along.
“A lot of the things we do replicate what people do at home, like sitting down, standing up and manual dexterity such as moving their fingers and wrists. We’re exercising the mind and muscles that people use every day.”
Sessions start with a gentle warm-up before moving on to the main activities, which last for about an hour. Then tables and chairs are pulled together and everyone enjoys a cuppa, some biscuits and a chat before heading home.
Exercise is enormously beneficial to people living with dementia and can help with increased balance and reduced risk of falls, improved memory, better mood and improved sleep.
“We see the positive benefits of Movement for the Mind,” says Pash. “By the end of the class everyone comes out feeling happy and lifted.”
Movement for the Mind runs at Grassacres Hall in Eden Vale Road, 10.30am to 12noon, on the second and fourth Friday of each month. To book a place or find out more, visit www.alzheimerswiltshire. org.uk, email office@ alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk or call 01225 776481.
