Nature Walks have a huge impact on Rochdale man

Exercise classes in a pub, walking netball players, grandmothers who are gym goers and an 83-year-old half marathon runner make up just some of the physical activity stories that are being celebrated as part of Greater Manchester’s Active Ageing Week.

Currently, 4 in 10 older adults (55+) in Greater Manchester are inactive. The week aims to change that by promoting physical activity within the age group and the benefits of being active. 

Sarah Shard, the Co-ordinator of the Active Ageing project, met Gordon Aaron from Rochdale recently at a Veterans in the Community meeting and invited him to come along to the Nature Walks.

 

 

Sarah said: "In October 2018, 83 years old Gordon entered the Manchester Half Marathon and finished in 3 hours 5 minutes. Gordon was a runner many years ago and thought it would give him something to aim for, he was a bit disappointed he came second in his age category, but the fact that only two in his age category entering out of 15,000 runners just goes to show how many people are running half marathons at his age, and he should be proud of his achievement.

“Although he is already active, he does it all on his own, joining the Nature Walks group, has had a huge impact on him socially as he doesn’t speak to many people apart from his visits to his family. During the walks, Gordon has not stopped talking, he has inspired everyone on the walks with his fitness and encouraged them with their exercise.

Gordon said: “I have been married for 55 years and unfortunately, I had to make the really difficult decision for my wife to move to a care home as she has advanced dementia, so now I live on my own and go out walking on my own.”

Sarah said: “The following week Gordon turned up at the Nature Walks, I asked him if he had got to the Walks OK and he said, ‘Yes sure, I’ve walked three miles from Milnrow’.  Gordon has now been coming to the walks for several weeks and hasn’t missed one.

“After the second walk, Gordon shook the co-ordinator’s hand and said how much he had enjoyed it and how nice it is to walk with other people instead of on his own all of the time.

“On the walks, Gordon chatted to others non-stop the whole time. As he visits his wife every afternoon, he often finds he is bored or has nothing to do in the mornings and evenings, so he has loved being out in the fresh air talking to new people, as an ex veteran, people in the group have loved listening to his stories.

 

 

“By having the social contact, it has helped take his mind off the struggles with dealing with his wife’s dementia. He has been talking to the activ8teme coordinator who has explained dementia to him and why dementia patients act the way they do which has helped him to understand the condition and helped him deal with things, enjoy his time with his wife and look after his own health and wellbeing.

“Gordon also asked the co-ordinator at the session how to ‘read’ and ‘delete’ text messages on his mobile as he is too embarrassed to ask his son. He is now able to communicate with his friends and family.”

“Gordon has also encouraged his son to take part in the half marathon with him in October 2019 and his aim is three hours.

“By increasing Gordon’s walking, meeting new people and completing a half marathon, Gordon’s overall fitness has improved including his blood pressure, cholesterol and he has maintained good weight at 83 years old. People have commented on how well he looks for his age.

“He is in extremely good health and drives his car throughout the borough and is still able to visit his wife every day.

“His increased fitness and general wellbeing have reduced the chances of certain types of diseases and maintain health.”

Active Ageing Week includes an Active Ageing Workshop on Thursday 1 August where the research team from the University of Manchester will be showcasing the initial preliminary findings from the Greater Manchester Active Ageing Programme with the hope that organisations working with older adults across Greater Manchester  may have a better of idea of the benefits of activity and how to include it in their lives.

For further information about joining the Active Ageing programme contact Beth Mitchell at GreaterSport at beth@greatersport.co.uk or call 0161 223 1002.