Hook Home Help is providing companionship and support to help people to feel more confident getting out and about

Last weekend I went to see a dance performance by the Inner Ground Dance Company, a leading contemporary dance company for mature dance performers. They say, "We believe that dance is life-enhancing and creates happier, healthier people connected through the firm bonds of shared experience".

A study from the University of Leeds showed that, "Physical inactivity is recognised as one of the main risk factors for non-infectious diseases and mortality. Over time there has been a decline in physical activity in older adults, and this is particularly apparent in people over 75 years of age. Opportunities to engage adults in physical activity are a global priority as they support healthy ageing and slow progression of disease and disability." So they invited older people to start dancing and at the end of the trial, the researchers found that people who had taken part increased the amount of physical activity they did each week, and kept this up over the 12 months.

Their views on their own wellbeing also improved, with participants saying they felt stronger, more confident and “years younger”. One person said, “It’s really changed my lifestyle because since I retired, I think I was deteriorating. It’s certainly improved my lifestyle and I feel years younger in just the fact of the few months that I’ve been coming. I feel a lot better.”

Any amount of movement can be beneficial but it can be hard to get moving when we are on our own. People are scared of falling and just not motivated to get out on their own. Hook Home Help is providing companionship and support to help people to feel more confident getting out and about. Contact me for more information