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City residents enjoying new lease of life as Technogym makes its mark across the city

Location - Fergus House, Fergus Place, Dyce

Date - 11am Friday 16 December

Older people in the Granite City are enjoying a new lease of life thanks to the provision of groundbreaking gym equipment across the city.

Medical researchers desperately trying to unravel the mysteries of dementia have indicated exercise – including a moderate gym session - can help people cope with the impact of a condition becoming increasingly common as the population ages.

And as part of the council and NHS Grampian’s continued commitment to the national goal of reshaping care for older people, funding was secured from the Aberdeen Partnership Change Fund to obtain the UK’s first publicly-funded Technogyms for older people.

The Aberdeen Partnership purchased three sets for £51,000 with one being based at Robert Gordon University’s Health & Social Care Faculty, another at the council’s residential home Fergus House and another set that is available for use at establishments throughout the city, including Care Homes (private and voluntary), community centres/venues, sheltered housing complexes and various Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian sites.

Aberdeen City Council Social Care & Wellbeing purchased an additional set, which is now based at Rosewell House.

Whether based at a permanent site or visiting various venues across the city the specialist gyms are proving to be a smash hit with older people in the city all reaping the benefits.

The equipment differs from normal gym equipment as it has been specially designed so it is suitable for older people and those suffering from dementia, most of whom are quite elderly.

The equipment does not use great weights with the emphasis instead being on gentle lifting and pushing, with the machines based on a hydraulic system rather like a bicycle pump.

Fred McBride, chair of Aberdeen Partnership and Director of social care and wellbeing, said: "This is a very innovative and important area of work with older people. Statistics show that the population in the city is ageing and that creates a number of service issues that we are actively addressing both for now and the future.

“The Technogym encourages older people (60+) to undertake physical activity and signpost them to other activity opportunities in their communities, it gives opportunities for those with dementia living in the community to use the equipment, encourages care homes to increase the levels of physical activity and meaningful activities within their units by illustrating the benefits and challenging the stigma and attitudes facing older people.

“It’s still very early but we are extremely encouraged by the early results and hope the Technogym will continue to prove popular with service users.”

Although research is still ongoing in this field early findings have suggested giving older people access to the specialist equipment has resulted in a reduced number of falls, reduced medication use and a sense of well-being all round being greatly enhanced.

To celebrate its success and encourage more people to get involved the council and NHS Grampian have organised a series of Open/Drop-in sessions for anyone interested in trying out the equipment or who want to come and find out more.

Sessions will take place at the RGU Health & Social Care Faculty on Wednesday 18 January 2012, from 9am to noon, Provost Hogg Court on Thursday 19 January 2012, from 10am to 4pm and at Rosewell House on Wednesday 25 January 2012, 1pm to 4pm.

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