“Dear Jan,
In my care home we have a few residents who are keen on swimming. One was a professional swimmer in her twenties! The other had a pool in her house and would swim daily until she had a fall and moved into our home. I suggested that we try to take them to a local swimming pool, but my colleagues laughed off the idea. Is this a ridiculous idea? How could I make this happen? Or, how canI nurture my residents’ love for swimming in a safe way? Thank you in advance for your help.”
Annabel, Activities & Wellbeing Manager
Dear Annabel,
This is certainly not a ridiculous idea, but one that shows great compassion and empathy for the needs of your residents.
Swimming is a great exercise and it is very gentle on the joints. The pleasure and freedom your residents will get from restarting an old hobby is not to be underestimated as well. Swim England are developing and implementing a dementia friendly swimming project. If it isnt already happening in your area, maybe your residents could pilot it at your local pool.
Begin by approaching your local leisure centre (or perhaps there is a small, private pool nearby that could be more suitable?) Ideally make an appointment to speak to the manager. Have a set of questions ready, but Im sure you will find that they will do their very best to make this work for you. After all, it would be wonderful publicity for them as well as a great experience for your residents.
Things to check and/or discuss during your meeting –
- Ask to check out their facilities. Are there suitable areas for changing?
- What is the access to toilets like?
- Do they have a hoist that could be used?
- What support you could have from their staff?
- Discuss suitable times that work for your residents and when the pool is quiet.
- The pool staff may want to undertake basic training with care staff, to ensure the session is as safe as possible. Discuss the logistics of this training.
- What temperature is the water? Your residents won’t enjoy their swim if they are cold.
Planning your visit
I would suggest you take only 2 or 3 residents at any one time, so that you can give them your full attention. It might be sensible to take just one resident the first time, so you feel more confident during future visits.
You will need to do a full risk assessment for each resident. Take into consideration staff availability and equipment provided by the pool to gain access to the water.
You will probably need between 2 and 3 members helpers per resident. Family members may be willing to help you support their loved one as well as care staff and pool staff.
Pack plenty of towels and a large towelling robe. Take this robe poolside, so that you can wrap it around them as soon as they are out of the water.
It is possible to buy specialised incontinence pants that can be worn under swimming costumes if necessary.
Factor in some time for a visit to the cafe for a hot drink afterwards.
If it really is an impossible task to get your residents back swimming, there are plenty of alternative ways to nurture their passion.
- In the summer months take them for a paddle. Use a paddling pool and let them have a proper splash around.
- Take them to the pool to watch a swimming competition.
- In chair based exercise classes, practise basic swimming strokes to music (breast stroke, front crawl, etc). You could use ribbons and pom poms to simulate waves.
- Hold a water-based sensory session. Encourage your residents to soak their hands in a bowl of warm water and assist them in moving their hands back and forth. This can be a powerful yet calming sensory experience.
- Good luck, and please let us know how you get on!
Best wishes,
Jan
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