Personalised exercise programme enables stroke survivor to regain mobility

Use of an Exercise Studio, at care village , has helped local resident Cliff Thomas to achieve significant improvement to his own balance and mobility, impacting on the problems he’d been having since suffering a stroke.

Taking up a recommendation to visit Belong, made by his neuro-physiotherapist, Mr Thomas has been able to make the most of fitness instructor Barbara Tait’s expertise, which has seen the provider achieve international acclaim, securing the ‘Excellence in Ageing Services Award’ in 2013.

Delighted with the results their personalised approach to exercise continues to achieve, Ms Tait, comments: “The benefits of regular exercise, tailored to the needs of older people, are incredible. Part of the service that we offer at Belong is to educate relatives about the value of regular exercise, because as we can see in the case of Cliff and his wife, if the people closest to us understand the benefits of exercise, then they can support us and help us to stay motivated.”

Reflecting on his own progress, Mr Thomas says: “I began using the gym here about 14 months ago. We can have a joke while we’re doing the exercises and I enjoy it, it’s something to look forward to every week. I’d recommend it to anyone, I don’t know what I would have done without Belong Macclesfield to be honest.”

His wife, Diane, has been witness to this remarkable progress. She says, “By coming every week Cliff has gradually rebuilt some of the strength in his left leg, which was affected by the stroke. The stimulation from the exercise machines has really woken his leg up, allowing him to bend and move it where he couldn’t before. This has made a difference to our quality of life.”