Case Study: Supporting stroke patients with Bury Live Well – Janette’s Story




The Bury Live Well Service compromises of four neighbourhood teams that focus on the needs and priorities of each neighbourhood.

Our teams will provide free personalised support. We believe in creating a healthier community where everyone can:

  • Start well
  • Live well
  • Age well

We help people to…

  • Adopt a better lifestyle (to reduce the risk of developing one or more long term conditions).
  • Manage long term conditions (to help them stay as independent and healthy as possible, prevent complications and the need to go into hospital).

We have supported thousands of people across the Borough of Bury to reach a healthy weight; build more activity into their daily life; stop smoking; eat better; and generally improve their health and wellbeing.

We are here to help people stay well, stay independent, and enjoy life for longer. We help people to…

  • Take control and turn their life around for the better
  • Gain the confidence to try something new
  • Bounce back and stay strong
  • Reach their full potential to live a happier, healthier life

 

This is Janette’s story…

Three older people walking in the park



Janette was referred to us from physiotherapy suffering with neuropathy, which was causing severe balance issues.

She had experienced many falls, one of which had resulted in a broken nose. As a result, she was anxious about having further falls and had greatly reduced her activity levels due to fear. 

She also has Raynaud’s disease and was getting very cold, white hands and feet which was painful and scary at times. She wasn’t medicated for this and wasn’t sure what she could do to help. 



She had been given exercises for her hands and feet by physiotherapy but was looking to take a wider-ranging approach to her health and to develop an overall more active lifestyle.

She was medicated for restless legs which were worse at night and had suffered with vertigo in the past but put it down to stress.

She also had bursitis in her hip and had had injections some time previously which had helped with pain but had some limited range of movement and had lost some lower body strength.
















Janette was supported by Live Well officers Cheryl and Bev. Janette originally had a face-to-face consultation with Chery at Castle Leisure Centre when Cheryl provided a full wellbeing timetable as well as details on how to book classes, what each class covered and all other relevant information.

As a result, Janette started Monday morning classes run by Bev in Ramsbottom, which is ideally located for her to walk to, thus already giving motivation to increase regular walking.

Over 13 months, Janette has attended regularly and consistently on a weekly basis. Through regular strength, balance and cardiovascular exercises, she has improved her fitness and strength levels as well as her balance. 

She has increased the weights she can lift, as well as her cardiovascular and muscular endurance. 

During classes, Bev also aims to educate members on how to help stay as safe as possible in their everyday life, for example foot placement when standing, techniques for going from sitting to standing safely and being aware of head movements, speed of movements etc. when doing any balance work.





I was worried that exercise would make things worse or make me feel unsafe or uncomfortable, but when I heard about exercise referral classes I knew I had to give them a go

Janette, Bury Live Well Participant, Live well – Janette









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