Residents at a Bearsden care home are participating in a musical exercise programme built to improve movement, balance, and fitness, among the residents.
Meallmore Group’s Antonine House in Roman Road are using a creative approach to regular exercise by participating in the danceSing programme.
The programme is part of a study by the Scottish Government to explore the benefits of exercise on elderly people.
Sam Dougan, activity and engagement lead at Meallmore, said: "The quality of the content and the delivery of danceSing really encouraged us to get involved and explore the potential benefits it could have on the health of our residents.
"The feedback has been really positive so far, and we’re looking forward to evaluating the progress of danceSing within our care homes."
The programme runs two to three times a week, with an average of 10 to 15 residents participating.
They can select activities suited to their physical condition and interests.
Training has been provided by the danceSing team to their staff, enabling them to access and use an online portal to facilitate the programme with residents.
With radio professionals backing up the programme, the care homes will also be able to liaise with a 24/7 radio station produced to encourage movement at specific hours.
The initiative began in November 2023, with the aim of implementing danceSing to 65 care homes in every local authority area across Scotland.
The project, funded for a year, will build on research investigating music and exercise benefits on elderly people with different health conditions, such as dementia and mobility issues.
Natalie Gary, founder, chief executive officer and movement director at danceSing, said: "The results we have seen since implementing danceSing within the care sector two years ago are extremely encouraging.
"The Scottish Government initiative is going to give us the opportunity to extend this research even further.”
In a study conducted in 2022 by Stirling University, improvements such as reduced fear of falls and significant surge in sit-to-stand ability of residents were recorded after the programme's implementation.
The study found 31 per cent reduction in the rate of falls after 12 weeks, and a 34 per cent reduction in the fear of falling after 16 weeks.
Shelley Watters, care home manager at Antonine House, said: “Implementing danceSing at Antonine House has been an easy and exciting experience.
"Staff have enjoyed working with the danceSing team during training sessions and we are already seeing the benefits of the programme on our residents’ wellbeing.”
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