At the day care center in Zeuzleben: Stay mobile with training on the G-WEG

Targeted mobility training for seniors has been offered at the day care center of the Caritas Social Station Sankt Michael in Zeuzleben since summer 2022. "It's about gaining confidence in walking," says care assistant Denise Wörner. She has studied the G-WEG intensively and completed a corresponding advanced training course. The special grid fields on the printed mat reflect a path as it might occur outdoors. Day visitors can walk on it alone or side by side, either on or next to a printed row of paving stones or in the simulated grass fields. Some seniors walk with their walker, others on the arm of the staff member, while still others are brave and make their way alone. "They realize, I can still walk a few steps on my own," says Denise Wörner, "that raises self-confidence."

Lose the fear of running

The grid fields of the G-WEGS virtually encourage people to walk. "Our seniors often dare to walk when they see that others can do it too," says the care assistant. Especially if day visitors have already fallen once at home, the G-WEG is intended to encourage them to lose their fear of walking.

Day guest Paula Neubauer can already walk a short distance without help, otherwise with a rollator. She had experienced a few falls at home, but has since regained more confidence in walking. Elisabeth Wehner is also happy to be mobile again with the rollator in the day care Sankt Michael.

With various exercises

To start the weekly mobility training with the G-WEG, Denise Wörner usually sets up chairs on both sides of the gait mat. The seniors take a seat there and start with leg and foot exercises. Then they throw a ball or balloon at each other. Afterwards, they can walk the path alone or in pairs. Often, everyone sings a song together, such as "My father was a wanderer," to distract the runners so that they look ahead instead of at the ground. Or the person should wave a hat while walking, explains the supervisor. Those who are really confident can place their feet exactly behind each other and balance on the painted pavement with the help of their arms. There are different levels of difficulty in the exercises, depending on physical fitness.