THERAPY-Magazin
Creative exercise in residential facilities forsenior citizens
Discover how Haus Tabea in Switzerland uses medical exercise bikes with virtual routes to improve mobility, mental well-being, and motivation among elderly residents.
Redaktion
THERAPY Magazin
Immediately after the lockdown was declared in March 2020, the Haus Tabea senior residential centre in Horgen, Switzerland, decided to offer its residents two mobile training stations that would allow them to visit another country and reminisce in a unique and motivating way. In this interview, Centre Manager Markus Buck explains how the residents felt during this time and why this type of training was very welcome.
According to Markus Buck, there was uncertainty and exhaustion among the residents in March 2020 as a result of the restrictions. He is convinced that they are benefitting from the facility’s new offering – a combination of cycling and video routes – as the previous exercise options have been significantly reduced.
Mr Buck, what was the general mood among the elderly residents at Haus Tabea during the restrictions?
From conversations with the residents, it was clear that there was uncertainty, especially with regard to the new arrangements. A big factor was also that there was no way of changing or predicting the situation. Some of the residents seemed exhausted and troubled by the restrictions, even though they mostly understood that they were necessary. For this reason, every possibility to get moving at Haus Tabea was welcome and in great demand.
From conversations with the residents, it was clear that there was uncertainty, especially with regard to the new arrangements. A big factor was also that there was no way of changing or predicting the situation. Some of the residents seemed exhausted and troubled by the restrictions, even though they mostly understood that they were necessary. For this reason, every possibility to get moving at Haus Tabea was welcome and in great demand.
Did you see an opportunity for residents to do something, especially when Covid was imposing restrictions, for example because no visits, trips or walks were possible?
The medical exercise bike proved to be very useful in these difficult moments of total or partial isolation and lack of opportunities to meet with family.
The medical exercise bike proved to be very useful in these difficult moments of total or partial isolation and lack of opportunities to meet with family.
How did the residents benefit from the exercise? Did they simply enjoy themselves? Was it more of a meaningful activity for them or did they notice that they improved a bit physically as well? For example, can they walk for longer, are they more mobile?
Regular use of the medical exercise bike proved to be extremely positive, both for the physical and mental state of our residents. Some residents use the equipment at a fixed time, to add activity and structure to their day.
Regular use of the medical exercise bike proved to be extremely positive, both for the physical and mental state of our residents. Some residents use the equipment at a fixed time, to add activity and structure to their day.
Many residents like the fact that they can travel to any place in the world for a short time.
The residents who come to the bike are always motivated, no matter how fit they are physically or mentally. Many appreciate the bicycle especially when the weather is not very nice. Also, the residents are always delighted when there is a gap after them and they are allowed to ride for longer (which doesn’t happen often, as it’s usually pretty booked up). I also received a lot of positive feedback about the images on the screen. Many residents like the fact that they can travel to any place in the world for a short time, with many also having their personal favourite places. So, for example, it pleases our Italian residents when they can cycle through northern Italy. The residents are big fans of the bikes.
Thank you very much for the interview, Mr Buck.
Thank you very much for the interview, Mr Buck.
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