Care homes across the Highlands have signed up to an innovative project which aims to boost activity and awareness of physical health for residents and staff.
A total of 15 care homes across the region will participate in Heel Toe off We Go, which was launched yesterday at Oversteps Care Home in Dornoch.
The opening marks the implementation of the first phase of a wider project designed to increase the level of physical activity in Highland care homes – one step at a time.
All participating care homes will receive 10 pedometers to monitor activity throughout this month.
The totals will then be collated with a chance of winning an iPad.
In addition to the step challenge, the participants will take part in a series of games including armchair volleyball, mini basketball and boccia – a game which is proving to be a great activity for older adults with mobility issues.
Jackie Hodges, NHS Highland’s service improvement lead for older people in residential/day care services, said: “This is an exciting project and we are working in partnership with our colleagues at Reshaping Care for Older People.
“NHS Highland has a commitment to a quality service which recognises the value of positive outcomes for both service users and staff.
“This project, although brief, will give clear results and evidence of extra physical activity and the benefits this can bring – fewer falls, better mobility, retaining independence and a close working relationship with staff and service users.”
The other participating care homes include Lochbroom House, Ullapool; Pulteney House, Wick; Strathburn House, Gairloch; Invernevis House, Fort William; Ach An Eas, Inverness; MacKenzie Day Centre, Inverness; Bayview House, Thurso; Kintrye House, Invergordon; Oversteps, Dornoch; Meadows, Dornoch; Ballifeary, Inverness; Seaview, Wick; Wade Centre, Kingussie; Urray House, Muir of Ord and An Acarsaid, Broadford.