By Vicky Keenan
Thornhill Manor’s Happy Chatty Walkers meet every Monday morning for a full morning filled with fun and happiness. We started in 2018 with six members and have grown to 25. Our group description is ‘We are the Happy Chatty Walkers, and we love the fun and games’.
Our Monday mornings start with a walk around the village, followed by tea/coffee and biscuits in the community centre. After that, we have a lot of fun playing a variety of games.
Loneliness and social isolation are prevalent issues in older adults and can have a detrimental impact on overall health.
Keeping the various aims in mind, the Monday morning programme is as follows:
Walking
The walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace. Those who can walk faster and further walk ahead for a distance, then return to the group before moving ahead again. Walking aids like walking frames and walking sticks are used by those who need them. Anyone in a wheelchair is pushed by a carer. A treasure hunt, or spotting certain items in the village, has sometimes been incorporated into the walk to improve concentration, alertness and focus.
Walking offers physical, mental and social benefits.
Physical health
Walking improves mobility, balance, muscle tone, stamina and keeps the heart healthy. It provides very little risk of injury.
As we grow older, we may become less mobile, our balance may start to decline, and painful conditions like arthritis can make it harder to stay active.
Mental health
Walking encourages socialising with each other. It significantly boosts mental, cognitive and physical health by reducing depression, anxiety and stress, while stimulating brain function, memory and focus. It gives a sense of belonging and improves the overall quality of life. Walking fosters a more meaningful and fulfilling life by promoting purpose.
Walking decreases the feeling of depression. Older people may find it difficult to speak about issues that worry them, or about their feelings of depression, when sitting at home. Walking and talking can help break down these barriers. Being outdoors and walking in a neutral space in nature can be reassuring, making it easier to speak openly.
Games
Playing games offers a wide array of benefits, touching upon mental, emotional, social and even physical well-being. The vital role of play throughout life, moving beyond the common association of games solely for children, shows that engaging in purposeful, stimulating activities is a cornerstone of healthy ageing, helping to add quality to the golden years.
Group games act as a powerful antidote, fostering connection and joy. Games inherently involve interaction, communication and shared experiences. They provide a structured environment for players to chat and laugh, significantly boosting their sense of belonging, lifting mood and reducing stress.
Physical health benefits of playing games
• Improving co-ordination and motor skills
• Helping to improve hand-eye co-ordination, gross motor skills, balance and reflexes
• Fall prevention – the enhanced balance and co-ordination developed through certain physical games can directly translate into improved stability in daily life, an important aspect of fall prevention
• Increased physical activity – low-impact physical games encourage movement in a fun and engaging way, which helps with muscle tone, blood circulation and overall cardiovascular fitness
Incorporating game play into the routine of the programme is much more than a pastime – it is a vital, holistic activity that enriches the lives of the elderly individual, from sharpening memory and fostering new friendships to improving balance and simply bringing joy and laughter into their days. The benefits are extensive. It is a simple, extensive and deeply human way to improve health and happiness in the later stages of life.
The Happy Chatty Walkers always say that ‘Monday is fun day’.
It means so much to me and makes me so happy to see how much the Happy Chatters enjoy every Monday morning. All their carers participate and love the Monday programme as well. It is also very good for them to have fun and a change in their daily routine.
I love planning and making at least one new game every week. I have made most of the games we use, which also gives me a lot of pleasure.
Each player has a star chart, placing a sticker in a square whenever they win a game. They receive a chocolate each time they complete a row of stickers.
The games are very competitive and challenging, which creates a lot of excitement and laughter. Players are encouraged to be as independent as possible during all activities. Other more sedentary games are sometimes included in the programme, such as Bingo, Dominoes, Beetle Drive, Snakes and Ladders and colouring.
I love interacting with the different personalities, encouraging them and making them all feel capable and special.
We have also, on the odd occasion, taken the walkers on outings, like the Piatto restaurant for breakfast, and the Johannesburg Zoo, which was most enjoyable for everyone. Some walkers had never been to the zoo before or seen many of the animals.
We sometimes invite Thembalami residents to join us for a Monday of fun, which is thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. I also sometimes go to Thembalami and take some of our games to play with them there. It gives me great pleasure to see how much they enjoy and appreciate it.
There are many more residents at Thornhill Manor who will benefit from joining the Happy Chatty Walkers. Everyone is very welcome to join a very active morning full of fun and laughter.
