Home exercise plan for older people

WICKLOW Sports and Recreation Partnership has rolled out a four-week physical activity plan for older adults as part of Positive Aging Week.

The resource has been developed by Sport Ireland and a working group of Local Sports Partnerships (LSP) Community Sport Development Officers in conjunction with Age and Opportunity.

It will support people to try and reach the minimum of 30 minutes of daily physical activity, as recommended in Ireland’s National Physical Activity Plan. It will help an individual’s strength and confidence in their body which will support them to be more physically active as well as developing transferable skills for everyday life.

Denise O’Shea, Co-ordinator of Wicklow

Sports and Recreation Partnership, said: ‘We are here to support older people to try and reach a minimum of 30 minutes of daily physical activity, as recommended in the Ireland’s National Physical Activity Plan. Physical Activity not only changes your body, it changes your mind, attitude and your mood. The Older Adult Home Exercise Plan will have a huge impact on older people’s wellbeing especially at times like this.’

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership has been working hard to ensure the people of County Wicklow remain physically active.

As part of a national network of 29 LSPs, Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership has adapted by using online resources, booklets and other innovative means, to ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to share in the enjoyment as well as the mental and physical health benefits of sport and physical activity.

John Treacy, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, said: ‘This International Day of Older Persons, Sport Ireland is delighted to be launching the Older Adult Home Exercise Plan with the support of the Network of Local Sports Partnerships and Age and Opportunity. By building these exercises in to your daily routine and tracking your progress over the few weeks, you will notice a huge improvement in your physical and mental well- being, and we need that more than ever right now.’

This resource is adaptive for people of all abilities and ages. There is an activity planner included to help track progress throughout the four weeks. Simply print out the resource or display it on a phone and get active.