Exercise, Rehab & Nutrition at home

Bentleys Home care

Bentleys 1-to-1 Exercise Service

Exercise for older adults is one of the most important things that you can do for your health. It can prevent or delay age related problems. Exercise will strengthen your muscles improve your heart and allow you to keep doing your day to day activities without becoming dependent on others. Data regarding the effects on many of the major causes of disease and disability in the elderly support more widespread recommendations of vigourous exercise in the elderly.

Benefits of Bentleys 1-to-1 exercise plans

Maintains independent living

This is perhaps the main benefit of exercising into older age. While care homes are essential for some, many older adults would like to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Maintaining an exercise regimen that supports this lifestyle is vital.

Better cardiovascular health

Physical activity for adults and older adults reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 35%. Heart attacks and strokes are medical conditions, that if survived, often result in life-altering consequences. Exercise can, therefore, be a huge preventative intervention.

May assist cognitive function

Dementia affects many older adults, with the Alzheimers Society indicating there are predicted to be over 1 million people with the condition by 2025. Some studies have suggested that exercise is a measure that may help reduce the incidence of the disease.

Reduces anxiety and depression

Many older adults may face social withdrawal, illness or disability, any of which can result in mental health issues. Exercise has a range of cognitive benefits, with studies showing that it reduces anxiety and depression, boasting a significant reduction in relapse compared to other interventions.

Helps with flexibility

Osteoarthritic pain poses a significant issue for older adults, with joints and muscles becoming stiff and immobile. While an exercise regimen can’t reverse all age-related joint changes, maintaining movement in muscles and joints is essential to decrease discomfort.

Improves strength

Muscles waste without exercise. In the same way that movement improves flexibility, the right resistance training strengthens important muscle groups to keep you independently mobile. This is especially useful when going from sitting to standing, up and down stairs or walking.

Improves bone density

Many older adults suffer from a condition called osteoporosis, where bones weaken and become more susceptible to fractures. Performing regular resistance training is proven to maintain bone strength in later years.

N.B. We can provide services for Cancer, Cardiac, Dementia, Arthritis, Parkinsons, MS, Mental Health and Diabetes. Please ask if the condition you require help with is not listed.

Bentleys 1-to-1 Rehabilitation Service

Rehabilitation is a more comprehensive and detailed approach than general exercise. Bentleys one-to-one rehabilitation service is provided by Valerie (Co- Owner) and other team members either at home, care home or in the gym. Rehabilitation is designed to improve and restore function e.g. after a fall, broken hip, heart attack, stroke or similar.

In order for an adult or older person to be as independent as possible in everyday activities and enable participation in education, work, recreation and meaningful life roles such as taking care of family the level of fitness is required.

The need for rehabilitation worldwide is predicted to increase due to changes in the health and characteristics of the population. For example, people are living longer, but with more chronic disease and disability.
Currently, the need for rehabilitation is largely unmet. In some low- and middle-income countries, more than 50% of people do not receive the rehabilitation services they require.
Rehabilitation is an important part of universal health coverage and is a key strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 – “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.

Overview

Put simply, rehabilitation helps an adult or older person to be as independent as possible in everyday activities and enables participation in education, work, recreation and meaningful life roles such as taking care of family. It does so by working with the person and their family to address underlying health conditions and their symptoms, modifying their environment to better suit their needs, using assistive products, educating to strengthen self-management, and adapting tasks so that they can be performed more safely and independently. Together, these strategies can help an individual; overcome difficulties with thinking, seeing, hearing, communicating, eating or moving around.

Bentleys Approach to Rehab will include:

Physical exercise training to improve muscle strength, voluntary movements and balance in persons with e.g. stroke or Parkinson disease
Modifying an older person’s home environment to improve their safety and independence at home and to reduce their risk of falls;
Educating a person with heart disease on how to exercise safely;

Bentletys Rehabilitation Service is highly person-centred, meaning that the interventions selected for each individual are targeted to their goals and preferences.

Rehabilitation helps to minimize or slow down the disabling effects of chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes by equipping people with self-management strategies.

Rehabilitation is an investment, with cost benefits for both the individuals and society. It can help to avoid costly hospitalization, reduce hospital length of stay, and prevent re-admissions. As rehabilitation also enables individuals to engage in or return to work, social activities and remain independent at home.

N.B. We can provide services for Cancer, Cardiac, Dementia, Arthritis, Parkinsons, MS, Mental Health and Diabetes. Please ask if the condition you require help with is not listed.

Bentleys Personalised Nutrition Plans

We aim to provide science based nutrition plans for older adults to allow them to gain, maintain or lose weight. It is important an older adult receives a nutritious diet in order to maintain muscle mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other chronic conditions.

Why diet matters for older adults

Maintaining a healthy diet is important for your health no matter your age. A healthy diet that focuses on lean protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting added sugar is good advice all around.

But as you get older, particularly after the age of 65 or so, eating healthy can become more challenging.

Medical conditions that tend to afflict adults later in life can cause dramatic (and unhealthy) weight loss. That includes issues like malnutrition, osteoporosis, and iron and vitamin deficiencies. Age-related changes to your metabolism or digestion can lead to unintentional weight fluctuations, too.

And as you age, your circumstances and lifestyle can lead to neglecting healthy eating habits.

“For example, the unfortunate death of a spouse can lead to loneliness and depression, which can result in a lack of interest in taking care of ourselves, Not to mention the added challenge of adjusting cooking habits for only one person instead of two.

Additionally, any loss in independence can also make it harder to shop for healthy foods and cook them properly. This can leave older adults more reliant on packaged and prepared foods or meals that aren’t nutritionally complete.

Even though nutrition may be harder to maintain as you age, it may be even more important than when you were younger.

As you age, your body can have a harder time with certain functions, like maintaining your heart health, kidney function, bone regeneration and more But getting proper nutrition — like enough protein and the proper amount of vitamins and other nutrients — is an important part of helping to keep those systems and others strong and functioning at their best.

A healthy diet can play a big role in your overall health, including your:

Brain and memory function.
Heart health.
Bone strength.
Muscle tone.
Immunity.
Gastrointestinal functioning.
Mental health and well-being.

“It’s important that older adults who experience changes in appetite and weight see a doctor before making any dietary changes,” “Take good care of yourself, and address your nutrition concerns head-on so a proper plan can be put in place for you to get back on track to being your best you.”