Chair yoga and free dental checks are improving health and wellbeing for Walfinch home care clients in Harrow and Brent.

“Some clients asked if we could enable them to do yoga,” says Shilpi Verma, Managing Director and Registered Manager of the Walfinch home care service. “I have been doing yoga for 12 years so I asked my teacher if she could provide an online class for our clients. She agreed, and it's now available online free of charge to any of our clients, their families and their carers, every week.

“Many are less mobile, so it's seated yoga with the emphasis on breathing, stretching and relaxing,” says Shilpi. “Clients have told us that the deeper breathing has helped them relax and feel less anxious.”

US studies have found that chair yoga has led to improvements in anxiety and may be beneficial in improving mobility and reducing fear of falling. Other studies have shown that yoga can help with stress, pain, fatigue, joint lubrication and balance.

One family member said: “Mum really looks forward to this every week.” Now 20% of Shilpi's clients are joining in, and next of kin and pregnant carers have got involved too. One 58-year-old client, who is looked after by her 80-year-old mother said: “It's made it easier for Mum, who is my full time carer, although she can't help joining in sometimes.”

Free dental checks

Shilpi is also providing free dental checks to all clients who want them.

“We have teamed up with local mobile dentist Dr Lovlina Bindra, who visits clients to do oral health assessments. It's very popular, because they can register with her practice, and she can provide dental hygiene services and even do fillings in their homes. Anything more complicated can be carried out at her clinic, on the NHS or as a private procedure.”

Walfinch Harrow and Brent pays for the yoga and dental services, which are available to all its clients. “It makes us stand out from other local home care providers, and word is getting around among people seeking care, so it pays for itself ,” says Shilpi.

'Shilpi, winner of the Social Care Awards – The Home Care Business Woman Of The Year Award  is now considering partnering with qualified and insured local hairdressers and podiatrists, as part of a plan to broaden the range of services she provides. “Our carers do minimum one-hour visits, so they have time to provide pampering sessions such as applying face packs and nail polish to clients who ask for them, but we'd like to broaden our range of services,” she says.

“We strive to provide active care that improves health and wellbeing, and once clients have had a taste of it, they really appreciate the difference it makes to their lives.”