Athlone Community Services Council CLG: Healthy Ageing Lifestyle Programme

Description

Our “Healthy Ageing Lifestyle Programme” is a weekly health and fitness class for older people in our community. It is designed to address the physical, mental, and social challenges often faced by older adults.

Activities are specifically adapted to suit a range of fitness levels and mobility needs, ensuring inclusivity and safety for all participants. Key components include:
• Fitness Classes.
• Gentle chair-based exercises for participants of every ability.
• Low-impact aerobics and resistance training to build strength, improve joint health,
and enhance cardiovascular fitness.
• Balance and flexibility exercises to reduce the risk of falls and improve posture.
• Meditation & Breathing Techniques.
• Guided meditation sessions to promote mindfulness and reduce stress.
• Breathwork exercises focusing on improving lung capacity, relaxation, and overall
mental clarity.
• Simple relaxation techniques for better sleep and reduced anxiety.

We want to help our clients build and maintain strength in order to help them stay independent, improve balance, reduce the risk of falls and maintain a great quality of life.

As populations age, the need for accessible and engaging health initiatives becomes increasingly important. Our programme is designed to address key issues such as physical inactivity, loneliness, and stress that can significantly impact older adults’ quality of life. By providing a structured yet enjoyable programme, we aim to empower older individuals to live healthier, more independent lives.

We started the programme in 2024 and up to this term the class had mainly been chair-based exercises, but after getting some great feedback from last term, it was clear that people were up for a bit more of a challenge. Michelle worked closely with the class facilitator to create a new routine that focused more on strength, mobility, and balance. We want to help our clients build and maintain strength in order to help them stay independent, improve balance, reduce the risk of falls and maintain a great quality of life.

We also ran some nutrition workshops, including a healthy snacks cooking demo, which went down really well. When the weather was nice, the group even went out for walks as part of the session. Each class ended with a short guided meditation which the clients loved.

There’s been a lot more variety this term, and it’s made a huge difference. People have been really engaged. We had 15 regular attendees every week, and no one wanted it to end for the summer. As a result of this, Michelle took the initiative to set up a summer walking group to keep everyone connected and active over the summer months.

We are excited to continue growing and developing this programme in the future.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the initiatives are to:
• Improve physical strength, flexibility, and balance, reducing risks of falls and injuries.
• Reduce stress levels and enhanced mental clarity through mindfulness and breathwork techniques.
• Increase confidence, self-esteem, and social connection, combating loneliness and isolation.
• Empower older adults to age actively and joyfully, creating a lasting impact on their overall well-being and independence.

Who is it aimed at

People aged over 65.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Listening to Our Participants and Adapting Accordingly

   One of the most important things we’ve done is to stay really tuned in to what our participants want and need. We’ve made changes based on their feedback — like introducing more strength and mobility work when they said they were ready for more of a challenge. It’s made a huge difference in engagement and overall enjoyment of the classes.

   Older adults are more likely to commit to a programme that feels responsive to their preferences and abilities, which drives long-term attendance and outcomes.

2. Making the Programme Inclusive but Still Challenging

   We always aim to strike the right balance between being inclusive and encouraging people to progress. We offer different levels within the same session so that everyone, regardless of mobility or fitness level, can take part and feel successful. That way, no one is left behind, but people still feel like they’re being pushed just enough to see real benefits.

3. Keeping People Connected Outside of Class Time

   We’ve seen how important the social side of the programme is, so we’ve made a big effort to keep that going even outside of the formal sessions. Things like the summer walking group and nutrition workshops have helped build a real sense of community. People support each other, stay active, and stay connected. That’s been a huge part of the programme’s success.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Managing Different Levels of Ability in One Class

   One of the biggest challenges has been catering to a wide range of fitness levels and mobility needs within the same session. Some people need chair-based options while others are ready to be up and moving. It takes careful planning to make sure everyone feels included and supported without making the sessions feel too easy or too hard for anyone.

2. Financial Limitations and Expanding the Programme

   While the demand and enthusiasm for the programme have grown, funding is always a challenge. We’d love to offer more such as regular nutrition workshops and additional classes but at the moment our budget does not allow for this. We can only run the programme for 12 weeks twice a year at the minute. We would love to run it full time.

3. Keeping Momentum Going Outside of Term Time

   The programme has become a really important part of people’s weekly routine, so breaks during terms can disrupt that rhythm. We’ve tried to address this with things like the summer walking group, but keeping people engaged and connected when the main classes pause can still be a bit of a challenge.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Improved Strength, Balance, and Confidence

   We’ve seen a real improvement in people’s physical ability, especially in their strength and balance. Many of our participants have told us they feel more confident doing everyday things, like walking, standing up from a chair, or going upstairs. That increased confidence is helping them stay independent for longer.

2. Better Mental Wellbeing and Stress Relief
   The mindfulness and breathing parts of the sessions have had a huge impact. Participants often tell us how much calmer and more relaxed they feel afterwards. It’s helped with anxiety, sleep, and overall mental wellbeing — which is just as important as the physical benefits. On top of that, the nutrition workshops have helped people think more about how what they eat affects how they feel — physically and mentally.
3. Stronger Social Connections and Reduced Isolation

   The social side of the programme has been just as valuable as the physical. People have built genuine friendships, and there’s a real sense of community within the group. For some, this is the highlight of their week. It’s helped reduce loneliness and given them something positive to look forward to.