Well that looked fun

rhubarbtree

Registered User
Jan 7, 2015
501
0
North West
Just caught an item on our local news re: Swimming for Dementia (soon to begin in 6 London Boroughs). Evidently swimming helps cognitive functioning. The woman from the government was "passionate" (twice) about this initiative. They chose to stand by a pool where people were going up and down in lanes. Didn't tempt me. A smallish warm pool with some floats, balls etc. would be fun. Husband trying to understand changing room lockers would not. I await the roll-out of this initiative with interest.
 

Spamar

Registered User
Oct 5, 2013
7,723
0
Suffolk
Hi, OH used to do a lot of swimming - when he was a lad!! He said he would like to go again. Enquiries at the local pool, and yes, we could use the family changing room. But the more I thought about it, the more my heart quailed. Always found a reason not to go. I think if it was early on in the dementia journey, I might have managed, but not his middle /late stages.
Like you, a spa and a bit of splashing would be the limit! Up and down lanes, definitely not!!!
 

rhubarbtree

Registered User
Jan 7, 2015
501
0
North West
The heart is willing but the head says something will go wrong. Perhaps if they are dementia aware it could work. I will enquire further. Tonight off to live performance of "Of Mice and Men" at the cinema. Have to remember to wait outside toilet for OH he has great difficulty finding his way back into correct screen and seat.
 

marionq

Registered User
Apr 24, 2013
6,449
0
Scotland
We were swimming three times a week until earlier this year. John is a very good swimmer but the changing clothes bit became too much for both of us to cope with as he likes to be warm and cosy rather than cold and damp. I miss my swimming a lot and will get back to it soon on his days at day care.

It is a great way to relax.
 

Tin

Registered User
May 18, 2014
4,820
0
UK
When mum first came to live with me, almost 2 years ago, we would go to local pool and she did enjoy it for all of 5 minutes, but then started to complain the water was too cold, smelly and her hair was getting wet[she would not wear a swim cap] So an hour round trip for a 5 minute dip and a moan did not make sense to me, we stopped.
 

LynneMcV

Volunteer Moderator
May 9, 2012
6,116
0
south-east London
Sounds interesting. Glad they are looking at these kind of possibilities though I don't think it is something my husband would want to join in. In over 30 years of marriage I have only got him into a swimming pool once. He can't swim and is frightened of swimming pools - nothing to do with his condition, it goes a long way back to an incident in his childhood.
For someone who has previously enjoyed swimming though, it might be just the ticket.
I have to agree with the whole concern over changing rooms and doors though - it's certainly not something my husband would be able to cope with if, by some miracle he ever decided to give swimming a go again, and I don't think our local pools have family changing rooms.
If nothing else I might give my daughter a nudge about this. She is a swimming teacher, so with the experience of dementia that she has gained over the past three years or so, this might be something she could look into too :)
 

Slugsta

Registered User
Aug 25, 2015
2,758
0
South coast of England
Mum used to be a swimming teacher and would love to go swimming again. The day centre we hope she will attend (waiting for a place but meanwhile she keeps changing her mind about it...) take groups swimming several days a week. It is very popular apparently, but it is not a specialist dementia centre.
 

Beate

Registered User
May 21, 2014
12,179
0
London
I'm just picturing taking my incontinent OH to a local swimming pool. Let's see how passionate they'd be about the cleaning up! Personally, I think most public pools are just too cold. No thanks.
 

fizzie

Registered User
Jul 20, 2011
2,725
0
I am sure we are creative enough to get around this problem in the interests of fun xx
 

fizzie

Registered User
Jul 20, 2011
2,725
0
The heart is willing but the head says something will go wrong. Perhaps if they are dementia aware it could work. I will enquire further. Tonight off to live performance of "Of Mice and Men" at the cinema. Have to remember to wait outside toilet for OH he has great difficulty finding his way back into correct screen and seat.

Oh I share his problem!!! especially without my glasses. I do hope you have a good evening - we missed our booking date and local flea pit is fully booked. Enjoy x
 

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