Staying Active Through Gymnastics, Even at 100 Years Old

Anne, from Bethany Care Home in Chepstow, recently celebrated turning 100 years old and is thriving as she takes part in not one, but two Love To Move sessions each week.

Love To Move, run by the British Gymnastics Foundation charity, is an innovative seated gymnastics programme that is helping to change the lives of people with dementia and long-term health conditions – with demonstrable physical, emotional and conditioning benefits.

The programme was developed following the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships based on scientific evidence. It’s an age and dementia-friendly exercise programme that engages participants with simple hand movements set to music and has been shown to help mobility, strength and flexibility. The programme is the first of its kind in the UK, with over 500 trainers and 5,000 participants to date, taking part in sessions being delivered across care homes and community venues across the country each week.

Anne, who turned 100 years old in September this year, currently takes part in Love To Move sessions at Bethany Care Home, where she is a resident. She’s been taking part in the programme since it was introduced into the care home in August 2022.

Commenting on the Love To Move sessions, Anne said: “I really enjoy the sessions. They wake everyone up and keep us moving. I look forward to them each week.”

Heath Dent, the Love To Move Deliverer at Bethany Care Home added: “Anne is a really lovely participant and I look forward to seeing her for our sessions. Her favourite song by far is Hokey Cokey, which she always joins in with. She is also a pro at our balloon game!”