| "FULL OF BEANS" is an nationally
recognised exercise and relaxation programme for older people
living in sheltered housing schemes, residential care and for
those visited in the community, which has been designed to be
delivered by trained care staff employed in local authorities
and the private sector.
The "FULL OF BEANS" programme
provides a new way of working with older people. It is a holistic
programme which helps improve the quality of life and mental
health of older people by increasing physical capabilities
so that they can remain in control of their lives for as long
as possible.
The programme was developed by The Environmental
Health Training Consortium, consisting of Environmental Health
Promotion Officers from St. Albans City and District Council,
East Hertfordshire District Council and Welwyn Hatfield Council.
The programme evolved from a 4 year accident
prevention project for older people (Safety Backdrop Project/Olives
List) which began in 1992. FULL OF BEANS was designed to meet
the needs identified by older people during evaluation from
these projects.
The priorities identified by older people
were:
- Health and quality
of life
- Money worries
- Stress
- Retaining independence
The "FULL OF BEANS" programme
currently consists of:
- A teaching and
training element to enable care staff to run exercise and
relaxation sessions in a sheltered housing scheme or care
home setting in a safe and suitable manner.
- A gentle exercise
programme using a wide range of existing established materials
- A relaxation programme
based on well tried muscle relaxation principals
It aims to improve and sustain physical
function, improve wellbeing and reduce stress among older
people. The hypothesis being that this will contribute to
retention of independence and as a secondary benefit might
reduce the rate or severity of accidents through improved
physical confidence and strength.
"FULL OF BEANS" is a registered
"Ageing Well" (Age Concern) Project.
Contact the Environment and Health
Promotion Manager, Carlton Lomax, on 01727-819455 if you would
like more information on this project.
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