Swim sessions start for people with dementia
WEEKLY swimming sessions which are suitable for people with dementia are being piloted in Bridgend from today .
It is thought to be only the second time in Wales that sessions have been designed with sufferers and their carers in mind.
After consultation with the Alzheimer’s Society and those suffering from dementia Ryan Stratton of Halo Leisure, which runs Bridgend Life Centre, said they decided to run special sessions on a Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm.
For a subsidised cost of £2 people with dementia can join in with an ordinary public swimming session, with important differences.
Ryan said an instructor and specially-trained volunteers will be on hand. The water will also be warmer than normal to ensure it’s a comfortable temperature for those who are less active.
The session also takes place at one of the pool’s quietest times to minimise noise.
After the swimming, complimentary teas, coffees and cakes will be available to enable both those with dementia and their carers to socialise.
Ryan said: “This project is very much about supporting people living with dementia and supporting their carers and giving them respite and peer support.
“And the third part of the project is about giving the opportunity, where desired, for people with dementia and their carers to do something active together.
“It’s very much the case that across the county borough there is provision but it’s all sedentary, not active.
“This is an instructor-led session and the choice is there that if carers want to go into the pool that’s great and we would encourage that.
“Over the last five to six months we have been training our staff and over 100 of our staff have been through dementia-awareness training.”
Ryan said Halo had worked with the Alzheimer’s Society, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board, the Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations and Bridgend council to develop the sessions and hoped to introduce them to two other sites in future.