SCOTTISH Ballet is piloting a new exercise and wellbeing initiative in Inverclyde care homes in partnership with health experts.
‘SB Duet’ has been developed to help people with reduced mobility by offering a short, gentle, and accessible movement experience, which can be done safely in bed or at the bedside, with a carer, companion, family member or independently.
The partnership has been made possible thanks to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s care home collaborative (CHC), a new service dedicated to supporting staff, residents, and families to enhance the quality of care for residents in care homes across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The SB Duet package of resources includes two ten-minute films and audio resources, which people can watch or listen to. Each resource contains a short excerpt of a Scottish Ballet performance, followed by five minutes of gentle guided movement.
Dance and movement has been shown to improve physical fitness, cognitive function, and the quality of life in care home residents.
The willingness and ability of people with neurological conditions and reduced mobility to participate in physical activity was demonstrated when Scottish Ballet started running its neurological programmes and projects online during lockdown.
Scottish Ballet observed that people were joining online, from their bed from all over Scotland, highlighting that guided gentle exercise is possible and that people were willing to take part.
Pooja Gupta, of the care home collaborative, said: “Research suggests dance-based interventions are effective in improving both physical and mental wellbeing of older adults. This resource will not only support physical activity but also promote mental wellbeing and help people do what matters to them the most.
“It can also be used by families to connect with their loved ones. We are delighted to be the key partner with Scottish Ballet and care homes on this very exciting project.”
Lisa Sinclair, senior dance health manager, Scottish Ballet said: “Scottish Ballet is delighted to be working with the care home collaborative to bring SB Duet to care homes across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
“Our priority is to ensure that the resources are accessible, empowering as many people as possible to feel connected, creative and to take part in something that matters to them. As this is a pilot, we are looking forward to receiving feedback from those who use the resources.”
Scottish Ballet developed the resources with input and insight from several organisations including groups who support the elderly and people living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions.
The resource will be piloted in three care homes in Inverclyde after which an external evaluation will be carried out.
