Water aerobics for dementia-friendly swim sessions!
In partnership with Dementia Club UK, GLL Better continue to host the dementia-friendly swim sessions at Finchley Lido Leisure Centre. This one hour of fun swimming is free of charge for individuals living with dementia and their carers, and involves 15minutes of calm swimming, and 45minutes of simple water aerobics, with both being led by qualified instructors!
The sessions also include music ranging from 80’s classics to 90's disco songs to ensure that the participants have a sing-along whilst swimming! Participants also have an array of equipment to choose from including noodles, floats, pull buoys, weighted hoops and more, which are all there to support the participants in the water.
After the swimming session, participants have the option of going to the local 'Ask Italian' restaurant which is a minute’s walk direcly opposite the Finchley Lido Leisure Centre. Here, participants can enjoy complimentary teas and biscuits provided for by Dementia Club UK!
This dementia-friendly swim session takes place every Thursday from 12:00 - 13:00. No registration is required, just come along and join in!
For more information, please contact petrit.krasniqi@gll.org
Why swimming?
This session is another way of getting individuals with dementia physically active as research has shown that low-impact exercise can be beneficial, not only for physical health but for mental health too and can improve the quality of life for people in all stages of dementia. Swimming, in particular, has the added benefits of reducing anxiety, improving mood, and enhancing psychological wellbeing!
Who is Dementia Club UK?
Dementia Club UK goes above and beyond to provide help and support to those living with dementia and also their carers and families to put smiles on their faces and give them a better quality of life. Former Mayor of Barnet, Lisa Rutter founded the charity in 2015, after first starting a dementia club at Finchley Memorial Hospital in 2013. Demand grew for more dementia clubs and Lisa went on to open another twelve in various locations in the Borough of Barnet plus one in Camden, finally creating a Dementia Club UK Model in 2015. Research conducted by Middlesex University showed that Dementia Club UK have a positive impact on those living with or caring for a person with dementia and those who have recently lost someone with dementia and are now lonely.
“Everyone participates and everyone always leaves with a smile”.
- Lisa Rutter