Go for Gold Challenge Scotland “Care… about Swimming” Programme The story of a pilot project with care homes from West Lothian and Perth & Kinross
Carolyn Wilson Falls Service Manager carolynwilson@nhs.net
Vikki Urquhart Kincarathie House vikkiadams1@
Care Home Swimming Programme • National pilot involving care homes in West Lothian and Perth & Kinross – Nov 2013 • 6 week swimming programme. • Trained Swimming Instructors created individualised swimming plans for each resident to achieve their goals. • Care home staff gained skills, knowledge and confidence to support older frailer residents in the water • Some care homes now taking residents swimming. • 8 week programme currently running again in P&K and another being planned for October 2014
P&K Experience – Timeline Initial seed planted and interest sought from care homes National meeting held Meeting with Perth Leisure Pool staff
June 13 6th Aug 13 10th Oct 13
Development of documentation – Swimming manual, resident profile sheet, evaluation, information booklet Tour of facilities and training to carers Swimming programme commenced 2 training sessions to carers by Swimming Instructor New 8 week Swimming programme commenced
5th Nov 13 18th Nov 13 February 14 19th Aug 14
Swimming Programme Perth Leisure Pool
Practicalities • • • • •
Training Cost Preparation for Swimming Support whilst in the pool Outcomes
Training Initial Training • Swimming Instructors highly experienced • Power-point training and tour of pool for carers • Swimming Manual created with information carers need to know • A4 Photographs of the pool for carer to share with resident before first visit • Information booklet for relatives and friends Additional Training • Carer training provided over 2 weeks in February 14
Cost • Transport to Pool – provided by care homes • Every resident accompanied by a carer (W Lothian had 2 carers with some residents) • Cost - £2.90 per resident • NHS paid Instructors costs • Care home/resident met refreshment costs
Preparation for Swimming • Disabled access to the facilities • Currently only suitable for residents who can stand • Changing facilities –1 disabled changing area and a few family cubicles. • Support to resident when carer getting changed.
Support whilst in the pool • • • • • • • • •
Identifying suitable pool time Getting residents into/out of pool Had the use of all of training pool Allocated an hour. Profile sheet so Instructor aware of residents limitations and also their goals All carers wear t-shirts Continence issues Temperature of water Storage of shoes, hearing aids etc
Hoist taking residents into pool
This gentleman who finds walking difficult commented “ When in the water I feel like I am flying – I can move around freely, its exhilarating”
This gentleman who has recently had his leg amputated learned to swim over the pilot using the one leg.
Effie - 92 - � I am just so happy, I now know I can go into the water and swim again. I cant thank-you enough. I plan now to go swimming with my friends. I feel young again�
Being Filmed for STV News!
Effie and Karen at the Award ceremony
Photo shoot for the local papers with the Provost
Swimming Programme – August 14
Effie – now 93 and frailer – still enjoying swimming – came out of pool and said “Have I died and gone to heaven!!”
Helen and Vikki
Helen with Vikki and Nicola at the Award ceremony