The summer of 2022 will not only go down in memory as one of the warmest and sunniest, but also for the unforgettable summer of sport we have all enjoyed watching – and been inspired by.

HRH The Queen led the tributes for England’s Euro 2022 winners, The Lionesses, sending them a message of congratulations that matched the sentiment of the nation, calling them “an inspiration”. It was England’s first major tournament success since the 1966 men’s World Cup. The Lionesses’ dramatic 2-1 victory made history. And they did it all against Germany, at Wembley, in front of a record crowd of over 87,000 fans and with a peak of 17.4 million glued to their screens around the country, making it the most-watched women’s football game in UK television history and the most-watched event of the year. By the same token, BBC Sport’s coverage of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was streamed a record-breaking 57.1 million times during the 11-day event which ran from the end of July, into August. As the host nation, England secured their most successful Commonwealth Games ever, with a raft of medals on the final day taking them to 176.  Lawn bowls also featured at the Commonwealth Games – a popular sporting activity for those of retirement age – and is steeped in tradition, but offers no shortage of exciting, combative action. There is always high drama as players use their own bowls to smash those of their opponents away from the jack. It’s an old one, but a good one and it ticks all the boxes; competitive, social, active, therapeutic… Fans of the sport were delighted to see England’s men beat Australia 14-12 in a tense match in the lawn bowls triples event to win Commonwealth Games gold. And our sporting successes didn’t end there! Great Britain won 60 medals as they finished second in the medal table behind host nation Germany at the European Championships in Munich earlier this month. England have also played some thrilling Test cricket this summer, capturing the imagination of the fans, not only with their results, but also the scintillating way they have been obtained.

There is no doubt that this summer’s sporting achievements have been inspiring for young and old alike and it’s important to remember that reaching retirement age doesn’t necessarily have to equate with living a more sedentary lifestyle. It has been said countless times that physical activity and exercise are good for you and there are many studies that prove the health benefits associated with exercise, and it becomes even more important as we age. Regular physical activity and exercise for those of retirement age helps improve mental and physical health which in turn helps maintain a sense of independence as you age. There are many ways to remain physically active during retirement and the team at award-winning and internationally renowned retirement community operator, LifeCare Residences, fully recognises the importance of staying physically active for the wellbeing of their residents. Well-equipped indoor gyms and heated indoor swimming pools are available for residents’ use at both LifeCare Residences communities at Battersea Place in London, and Grove Place near the New Forest in Hampshire. Swimming is a great, full body work out. It’s also ideal for those who suffer from arthritis as the water supports the body’s weight which results in less impact on the joints, reducing the risk of pain. While strengthening and toning your muscles it is also a relaxing exercise and will help you get a good night’s sleep.

Residents at Battersea Place can take part in on-site physical activities such as regular pilates, ballet, reiki, and meditation classes which are held in the gym. The team at Battersea Place has also recently introduced Chair Yoga for Beginners, which is already proving popular. This practice involves modified yoga moves with the support of a chair for the whole session. It’s an incredibly safe form of exercise and provides many benefits including pain relief, relaxation, improved mobility, and balance. Sara, the Chair Yoga facilitator adds, “It gives peace of mind, happiness, and stillness.” Additionally, the residents-only gym at Battersea Place has been kitted out with specialist HUR SmartTouch gym equipment, developed in Finland, which can be tailored to a resident’s personal specifications. It has been designed to combat the risk of falls and tackle Type 2 Diabetes as well as aiding cardiac, hip and knee rehabilitation. Each of its programmes are personalised and every resident at Battersea Place has access to the HUR SmartTouch which comprises four multipurpose machines that benefit the legs, shoulders, arms and back. Susan Balfour, resident at Battersea Place, comments: “I find the HUR system to be very good. The exercises I have been given me to do help strengthen my legs and arms. The machines are easy to use because I have a bracelet that has my specific exercises on it and it monitors and regulates what I do.”

Inspired by the Commonwealth Games and European Championships this summer, the team at Grove Place, near Romsey in Hampshire held its annual Sports Day which saw two teams battle it out. The red and blue teams comprised a mixture of residents and staff who quickly got into the team spirit with fierce rivalry spurring them on over games such as fishing of ducks and ball bouncing to name but a few of the strenuous and fun activities. All contenders were in high spirits and were evenly matched right up until the end, when the Reds just clinched it with a rerun of the Ball Throwing game. Birmingham eat your heart out! Additionally, the residents have year-round access to the services of a dedicated fitness trainer, Dan. Strength training has been proven to reduce symptoms of many chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, back pain, and depression.

Residents at award-winning retirement community, Somerleigh Court, set in the heart of historic Dorchester are right on the doorstep of the charming Borough Gardens, a beautiful 19^th century park laid out to the design of William Goldring – who was the brain behind Kew Gardens.  They can also access the adult fitness equipment at the park as well as the four tennis courts which are open all year round. More recently the LifeCare team has installed a Boulodrome (petanque court) for the residents to enjoy, especially on a warm summers evening. Residents enjoy this activity so much that they have set up a French Boules/Petanque club which runs every Monday afternoon during the summer months. The sport, where boules (balls) are thrown or rolled towards a small target ball, (known as a jack) is not only great exercise, but also great fun.

Fun, fitness, and friends – all these factors equate to a more fulfilling and enjoyable retirement.

If you would like to learn more about our offering and how we can enhance the ‘every day’ please call 0800 009 6950. For those who are unable to visit in person, we are also able to offer virtual tours of our communities at your convenience.

www.lifecareresidences.co.uk.

LifeCare Residences. We care about living life.