Care..about swimming.

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Frederick Burns
5 years ago
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1 Care..about swimming. = Information resource for those supporting an older person to gain confidence in water 1

2 Why Swim? Swimming is the sport for all the sport for life. Everyone can learn to swim regardless of age, ability, gender, social class or background provided they have the right opportunities to do so. At every stage of life, swimming is an essential life skill and provides a fun social environment. Even if your aim isn t to be a great swimmer, you can learn how to stay safe and remain confident in and around water. Swimming brings significant health and well-being benefits, enabling us to lead a longer, happier, healthier life. The unique weight bearing properties of water make exercising easier on the heart, lungs and joints. Water can be a very relaxing environment and many adults report they swim to reduce stress. Some facts: Water is about 800 times denser than air, you can work harder, and burn more calories, in a pool than out of it Water pressure lowers heart rate enabling lower blood pressure at higher work intensity Swimming can support up to 90% of the body s weight in the water i.e. a low impact activity and can help prevent osteoporosis Swimming can reduce the risk, and help improve symptoms of arthritis by helping to retain normal muscle strength and joint structure. Different swimming strokes challenge different muscles within the body so you can choose where you tone up. Rhythmic and aerobic forms of exercise such as swimming can improve psychological wellbeing. Female swimmers have been shown to experience significantly less tension, depression and anger after exercising than before. Social element of lessons is important to participants 2

If it is too advanced, it may put them off swimming and affect their confidence in the water. Swimmers - Let your swim instructor know what you want to get out of the session.

3 Take the Plunge! We hope, whether you are a swimmer or a supporter/carer that you enjoy and get the most out of your swimming sessions. Remember: The lesson will be tailored to the right level for each participant. If it is too basic, the participant may have fun initially, but soon get bored and not learn any new skills. If it is too advanced, it may put them off swimming and affect their confidence in the water. Swimmers - Let your swim instructor know what you want to get out of the session. Your supporter will be able to help with this. Supporter/carers make sure you know what your swimmer wants to get out of the sessions so you feel confident and comfortable to support them and have fun with them too! Have fun!!! Venue: The pool identified for the pilot is Live Active Leisure, Perth Leisure Pool, Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0HZ. Tel: leisure@liveactive.co.uk Timings: The pool has been allocated to us from Tuesday 19th August, pm for 8 weeks. The residents and carers can arrive any time before this to get changed etc however won t get into the pool until 1.30pm. Entrance to Perth Leisure Pool The teaching pool where the swimming will take place 3

4 Being Prepared Now you know where and when, you need to think about what else you need to make the swim enjoyable. Being prepared can help reduce anxiety before getting to the pool. It may be helpful to spend time with the participant you are supporting prior to their first session to explain to them what the session will be like. There will be up to 7 other participants and their carers in the water with 2 swimming instructors. A visit beforehand can help you familiarise yourself with the facility and therefore assist in describing it to the participant e.g. Changing areas, shower facilities, pool access etc. Photographs of the facilities are also available so you can share these with the residents taking part prior to bringing them to the pool. What to bring: Swim costume Towel Swim cap (optional) Goggles (optional but may increase confidence) Money for locker Money to get into the pool Toiletries Hair bobble (if hair is long) Water bottle Bathrobe for poolside Clean poolside shoes (if appropriate) Post-pool snack All carers to wear a T-shirt on top of their bathing costumes How to get there Perth Leisure Pool is located on the Glasgow Road, next to Dewars Ice Rink in Perth. There is a large car park adjacent to the pool with a long wheelchair accessible ramp. Alternatively you can access via the car park level by parking in the disabled bay spaces, there is a door with an intercom system and the pool staff will unlock the door. The carer should then report to the reception desk to book in. Ill Health We would be grateful if you could please adhere to Perth Leisure Pools policy on preventing the spread of infection. If a resident or carer has had a stomach upset, they should be clear of any symptoms for at least 48 hours after, before attending a swimming session. 4

The Facilities Changing Rooms Perth Leisure Pool has a number of larger family style changing rooms (like the one pictured here) which allow

This also has a seat for showering from and a mobile shower chair.

Shower Facilities There are 2 shower areas.

5 The Facilities Changing Rooms Perth Leisure Pool has a number of larger family style changing rooms (like the one pictured here) which allow additional space for a resident and/or their carer There is one disabled changing room located within the main changing area. This also has a seat for showering from and a mobile shower chair. There is another disabled changing room located within the health suite should this be required. This does not have a shower or toilet in it. Shower Facilities There are 2 shower areas. One is located near the Training Pool; the other is beside the Leisure Pool Showers beside leisure pool Showers beside training pool Blue Plastic Overshoes For health and hygiene reasons, shoes are not allowed to be worn by swimmers unless they cover their shoes with the disposable blue plastic shoe covers available at the pool 5

6 Ways to Support Your Swimmer It is essential that supporters/carers are aware of the needs, wishes and goals of the swimmer they are supporting. The following are some ideas on how you can support someone when in the pool but of course, it is not limitless. If in doubt, ask your swim instructor for more safe suggestions. Remember take all activity including progressions at the swimmer s pace! Non Swimmers Hold hands and assist with standing in the pool. This helps the swimmer acclimatise to being in the water and how that feels. Chatting can help reduce anxiety. When the swimmer is ready, holding hands, or forearm, assist to travel round the wall, or around the pool to help develop confidence and feelings of the water supporting balance and mobility. Use floats (a noodle or flat floats) under the arms to enable independent travel around the pool Encourage putting face then head in the water Encourage the swimmer to blow out into the water blow bubbles, sing or hum so breathing is steady and helps to relax further 6

Less Confident Swimmers Holding the back of the swimmer s head, to support, enable the swimmer to float on their

torso. You may also want to support the lower back too especially if the swimmer is anxious.

Floats can also be used to help the swimmer float on their front, If they are confident try placing their face in

7 Less Confident Swimmers Holding the back of the swimmer s head, to support, enable the swimmer to float on their back. Tell them to let their feet float up to the surface let the water carry them up and then their hips and torso. You may also want to support the lower back too especially if the swimmer is anxious. A noodle across the back may also help. Floats can also be used to help the swimmer float on their front, If they are confident try placing their face in the water. Holding the swimmer s hands, enable them to float on their front, face up towards you and encourage to glide then kick as you walk backwards. Swimmers can also hold on to the wall to kick. You could too! 7

Remember, you are not the swim instructor so there is no responsibility or necessity to teach swim skills ask the swim

8 More Confident Swimmers Set challenges do they want to swim widths or lengths? You could swim with them or encourage them to swim towards you. Remember, you are not the swim instructor so there is no responsibility or necessity to teach swim skills ask the swim instructor present for advice so that any activity is safe and appropriate. Also, there are other ways to enjoy the water e.g. dancing, exercise moves, games and of course, don t forget the social opportunities! 8

9 Nutrition and Hydration Swimming on an empty stomach is not a good idea. It means you will have less energy and could also affect your ability to concentrate. Make sure you and the participant you are supporting have something to eat about one or two hours before the session. Choose meals which are high in carbohydrates and protein but low in fat, especially saturated fats. Some examples are: Baked potatoes with beans, tuna or chilli, not too much Cheese or mayo! Pasta meals or bakes with vegetables, chicken or tuna. Beans on toast After your swim, there are lots of healthy snacks you could choose that enable our bodies to re-fuel and repair including: Fruit fresh and/or dried Cereal bars Wholegrain toast Cereal and milk Yoghurt and yoghurt drinks Small pack of unsalted nuts Pools can be very warm environments and swimming can be a very strenuous exercise. Even though we don t realise, we sweat in the water and can quickly become de-hydrated when swimming. Bring a water bottle for yourself and the participant (or something else they are confident drinking from) and you can re-fill if necessary during your swim. All pools should have a drinking water facility. After swimming also make sure you both have something to drink preferably water, diluted juice but a cup of tea is fine too! 9

There is disabled parking available at Perth Leisure Pool and an entrance directly into the pool level (the carer will need to use the intercom system here to arrange for the door to be opened and

10 Issues to Consider Mobility Issues The resident should bring their usual walking aid with them to the swimming pool. Depending on their ability, you may wish to consider also having a wheelchair available. There is disabled parking available at Perth Leisure Pool and an entrance directly into the pool level (the carer will need to use the intercom system here to arrange for the door to be opened and then register the resident at the reception desk) For hygiene reasons, if shoes are worn at the poolside, they much be covered in the blue plastic disposable shoe covers which are available at the pool. This should not affect their mobility however it will be important to take extra care when walking with your resident to the poolside. Once shoes are removed, they will be taken back to the lockers. If a resident is unable to access the training pool using the poolside steps, there is a hoist available and pool staff will assist with this. If a resident is wheelchair dependent, they will be transferred from their wheelchair onto an alternative chair with wheels provided by the pool ready to be hoisted into the water. Communication Before the residents get into the pool, it will be important to remove their hearing aid (and spectacles if they intend putting their head in the water) the swimming instructor will provide instructions to both the resident and their carer and the carer will then need to reinforce these instructions. It is therefore really important that the carer speaks clearly and concisely with plenty of visual cues and demonstrating moves to the resident. Medical/Medications The Instructors are both very experienced however will not know your resident or any medical conditions and/or medications which might affect them. Each resident will have had a resident profile completed prior to the session which will help those involved in their understanding. It is important that the care home takes into account any medications that are required and these are taken appropriately. They should also bring with them any inhaler devices or GTN sprays etc. 10

11 The carer should report any changes in the resident s health or appearance immediately to the Instructor. Learning and Processing It will be important with all residents however perhaps more so with residents with a learning disability or dementia to keep all instruction simple and clear and use plenty of visual cues etc. Patience is the key and encourage with prompts and praise. Also keep moving. Water Confidence Depending on previous experience, residents will have mixed emotions about being involved in swimming. Some may have a fear of drowning perhaps relating to a childhood incident or traumatic experience; others may not have had previous opportunities and may fear the unknown. It may be necessary therefore to help them overcome any of these issues. This may need to be done in stages and give them time to progress in their own time and pace. Various techniques will be employed. Key approaches are: Build Trust Be Consistent Have plenty of patience Be confident yourself Overall have fun and enjoy. Incontinence If a resident has incontinence, they should wear special adult swim pants Gabby's Adult Pull-On Swim Pant underneath their swimwear. These are suitable for bowel movements but not for urine or liquidy containment. They can be ordered on-line from 11

12 The effects of swimming Swimming regularly can make differences to our health and appearance. Psychologically we may feel less anxious and relaxed after a swim. Our confidence can also increase as we master a new skill and feel part of a group. Even though participants may not appear to be moving or exercising a lot during the Care..about swimming programme, they are doing a lot of physical work to remain upright, move through the water and focus on learning new skills. Improvements may be small, but they will be there! Ask your swimmer how they feel after their swim and a few days later (if possible) to see if they can identify any changes to their health, mood or confidence. Some adults report feeling a bit overwhelmed when they feel they have achieved the ability to swim as it is something they have sought to do for years. Learning to swim as an adult is a major achievement so swimmers AND supporters make sure you reward yourself in a healthy way of course! 12

Swimming Performance Pathway

Swimming Performance Pathway We think swimming is important We believe swimming is a life skill. As 75% of our planet is water we think it s vital that young people are given the opportunity to Learn to