Love to Move
Love to Move is an exercise and cognitive enhancement programme specially designed to get older people moving and functioning better. The programme achieves this by carefully integrating the use of gymnastic foundation skills, cognitive stimulation and social interaction activities, all carried out to music.
Components of Love to Move are based on bilaterally asymmetrical movement patterns as well as co-ordination exercises. These are understood to benefit older people and those living with dementia, Parkinson’s and other forms of cognitive impairment, by enabling the left side and right side of the brain to process information independently, thus improving cognitive function, coordination and the ability to carry out activities of daily living more independently.
Above all, Love to Move is fun!
The British Gymnastics Foundation programme has been transforming lives since 2016. One participant has said that it brings her “One hour of wonderfulness each week!”
Research conducted by Age UK, June 2016 found that:
“The programme has a demonstrable benefit in the physical, emotional and cognitive aspects of older people and those older people having mild to advanced forms of dementia appear to benefit the most.”
- 71% of residents are reported to have had noticeable physical improvements
- 86% are reported to be socialising better with other residents and staff
- 93% of residents are reported to be happier and more settled
- 100% are reported to be easier to connect with
- In addition, the care home attributed reductions in medication and the need for support staff, to residents participating in Love to Move
For more information about the Love to Move Programme, please visit British Gymnastics Foundation.