Benefits of the Care About Walking scheme recognised by sportscotland.

A project that helps care home residents become more active has won a prestigious award.

Walking charity Paths for All’s Care About Walking project came first in the Coaching for an Active Life Category at sportscotland’s Coaches, Officials and Volunteer 2019 awards.

The initiative was praised for its work with older adults in care homes, who on average spend 80-90% of their time sitting or lying down.

It was piloted with Parkdale Care Home in Auchterarder to integrate walking activities into the daily routine of care homes before being expanded to five more homes in the Perth and Kinross area.

The homes were all given resource packs to encourage residents to get out and about, along with charts to record step counts and posters depicting strength and balance exercises.

As part of the programme, care home staff were also trained to lead walks and to conduct exercise routines.

Walking activities are tailored to the residents’ needs through consultation and taster sessions, with activities split between those that are staff-led and others that are self-directed.

Jessie, a resident at Parkdale Care Home who helped to develop the Care About Walking resource pack, said: “On a daily basis I keep a note of how many extra steps I have walked and then I total it all up monthly.

“It is very important to me to keep my mobility going, to be active and to also socialise on my walks around the building. I am encouraged by the staff in Parkdale to do this.”

Carolyn Wilson, Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership service manager, said the programme had bought about improvements to residents’ physical and mental health.

She added: “Moving more and walking is important for health and well-being and enables us to enjoy everyday life. Through walking more and using the strength and balance exercise panels around the care home and in the gardens, residents are also reducing their risk of falling.”