Celebrating our Active Ageing Wellbeing Client of the Season
We’re thrilled to announce our Wellbeing Client of the Summer Season for our HILS Active Ageing Service.
This season, we’re absolutely delighted to recognise Evelyn, whose determination and courage have been nothing short of inspiring.
At 75, Evelyn is a lovely and kind-hearted lady who came to us after losing her confidence following a fall. She was nervous about walking without support and relied on both furniture and a stick to get around her home. Her husband and daughter were always by her side, offering reassurance and encouragement as she began her sessions.
Evelyn also lives with kidney problems that cause swelling in her ankles, which can make movement uncomfortable, but she never let that stop her from trying.
When we first met her, her BERG balance score (which measures stability) was 36, and she moved cautiously, shuffling rather than lifting her feet. Like many people who’ve experienced a fall, she was understandably frightened of it happening again.
Finding her feet again
We began gently with seated exercises, such as marching on the spot and ankle-loosening movements to build confidence and coordination. Over time, we introduced resistance band work to strengthen her posture and upper body, along with outer thigh exercises to make everyday tasks, like getting in and out of the car, a little easier.
At first, Evelyn needed regular reassurance that she was doing the exercises correctly, but her confidence soon grew as she noticed small improvements each week.
By week five, those small steps had turned into something truly special. Evelyn no longer shuffled when she walked, she was walking tall, proud, and even greeted her instructor at the door unaided!
Strength and balance time
As Evelyn’s strength improved, we moved on to balance training and standing exercises. She was nervous at first, worried that her legs wouldn’t hold her, but with gentle encouragement she realised just how capable she really was.
Her mental wellbeing blossomed too, she smiled more, laughed more, and started to enjoy her sessions.
Then, one day, Evelyn shared some amazing news: she had climbed the stairs without her stick! It was such a memorable moment. A simple, everyday action that represented a huge step towards independence.
To celebrate, she agreed to go for a walk outdoors using her rollator. Evelyn managed a full lap around her block without stopping once, chatting about her memories of the neighbourhood and marvelling at how much the trees had grown since she’d lived there. At one point, she even bent down to pick something up from the ground without hesitation, a perfect example of just how far she’d come.
Setting new goals and pushing forward
With her confidence restored, Evelyn set herself a new goal: to build up her arm strength so she could get out of the bath on her own. Together, we worked on arm and shoulder strengthening exercises to help her achieve it.
Even when she experienced a small setback with cellulitis, Evelyn didn’t let it dampen her spirits. After recovering, she came back stronger than ever and proudly achieved a final BERG balance score of 53, an incredible improvement!
Active Ageing in action
Evelyn’s story is a wonderful reminder of what’s possible at any age. With the right support, encouragement, and guidance, it’s never too late to rebuild strength, improve balance, and rediscover your confidence.
We’re so proud of Evelyn for her hard work, determination, and perseverance. She’s truly an inspiration to us all, and a perfect example of how our Active Ageing service helps older people live more confidently and independently.
Congratulations, Evelyn – our well-deserved Client of the Season!
Find out more about our Active Ageing service here
If you or someone you know could benefit from improving strength, balance, or confidence after a fall, our Active Ageing Team can help.
We offer personalised support to help older adults stay active, reduce their risk of falling, and maintain independence at home and in the community.
Written using notes compiled by the HILS Active Ageing Team
