Walking has taken a back seat through lockdown, with the average UK adult reaching just 2,700 steps a day – a quarter of the recommended amount.
A survey by Alzheimer’s Society shows that in the South East of England, the average daily step count sits just above this national figure at 2774, with 22% of those surveyed from the region walking less than 1,000 daily steps.
Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to break lockdown bad habits and get active to raise money, by signing up to one of the charity’s several walking events. People can register to do their own Memory Walk on Saturday 20 March, or another date in March that suits, or look to challenge themselves with a ready-made 13 or 26-mile trek in the summer in one of five iconic locations across the UK (London Trek26 is the nearest for people in the South East). They are all Covid-19 secure and have all been specially adapted to accommodate social distancing
Jan Baker took part in Memory Walk in 2020 and is taking part this year for her mum Mo, who died of Lewy Body dementia in March last year. Mo was cared for by her stepfather Jimmy before going into a home for the last 15 months of her life.
“I just want to raise awareness of this terrible illness. Mo never lost her memory and always recognised me, Jimmy and my brother David. Despite the terrible hallucinations she was experiencing, due to her Lewy-Body dementia, which is less common form of dementia. Last September I walked 13 miles with my daughter Natalie and nieces Claire and Gemma, and we raised £2000. It was a beautiful, amazing day. We all enjoyed doing it so much and it was the best way to celebrate mum’s life.
Mo was a wonderful mother, deeply devoted to her family and children, who also loved knitting and walking.”
Joining thousands of supporters set to embark on a new walking challenge in 2021 is TV star and long-time Memory Walk supporter Kevin Whately, who will endeavour to take on a Trek26 event for the first time.
The Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Lewis actor, whose mother Mary passed away with dementia in 2009, is encouraging the nation to take on a walking challenge this year following a devasting year for people with dementia. He said: “I know from personal experience the impact dementia has on those affected and their families- coronavirus has only exacerbated these challenges further for thousands of families affected by the disease in South East.”
“I am lucky enough to have participated in several Memory Walks, which are always a wonderful way to celebrate and remember a loved one who has been impacted by dementia, as well as enjoying the physical and mental benefits of the great outdoors. I’m now looking forward to upping my steps by taking part in one of Alzheimer’s Society’s trek this summer. “Money raised will help Alzheimer’s Society reach and support more people through the charity’s vital services, like the Dementia Connect support line, which have been a lifeline for thousands of people. I can’t think of a better reason to take on a new challenge.”
Other survey results include: Residents in the South East are on average spending almost three days without getting any fresh air. The average resident stays six hours per day seated, roughly a third of the waking day.
For those who admitted to walking less than 1,000 steps daily, a fifth (20%) put down their lack of steps to shopping online.
Liz Taylor Dementia Connect Local Services Manager Kent said: “Coronavirus has turned life upside down for everyone, especially those affected by dementia. There are more than 23,940 people living with dementia in Kent. They have been worst hit by coronavirus in terms of deaths, both from the virus and knock-on effects of lockdown, and need us now more than ever. Unfortunately, the pandemic has hit us hard financially, despite an unprecedented demand for our services. We want to continue to reach as many people as possible, which is why we’re calling on everyone to put their best foot forward and sign up to one of our walking events.”
Find out more at alzheimers.org.uk/events
| Help beat dementia in Kent and get active with a walking goal |
An Alzheimer’s Society survey reveals the impact of lockdown on people’s exercise habits in Kent and the South East
Walking has taken a back seat through lockdown, with the average UK adult reaching just 2,700 steps a day – a quarter of the recommended amount.
A survey by Alzheimer’s Society shows that in the South East of England, the average daily step count sits just above this national figure at 2774, with 22% of those surveyed from the region walking less than 1,000 daily steps.
Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to break lockdown bad habits and get active to raise money, by signing up to one of the charity’s several walking events. People can register to do their own Memory Walk on Saturday 20 March, or another date in March that suits, or look to challenge themselves with a ready-made 13 or 26-mile trek in the summer in one of five iconic locations across the UK (London Trek26 is the nearest for people in the South East). They are all Covid-19 secure and have all been specially adapted to accommodate social distancing
Jan Baker took part in Memory Walk in 2020 and is taking part this year for her mum Mo, who died of Lewy Body dementia in March last year. Mo was cared for by her stepfather Jimmy before going into a home for the last 15 months of her life.
“I just want to raise awareness of this terrible illness. Mo never lost her memory and always recognised me, Jimmy and my brother David. Despite the terrible hallucinations she was experiencing, due to her Lewy-Body dementia, which is less common form of dementia. Last September I walked 13 miles with my daughter Natalie and nieces Claire and Gemma, and we raised £2000. It was a beautiful, amazing day. We all enjoyed doing it so much and it was the best way to celebrate mum’s life.
Mo was a wonderful mother, deeply devoted to her family and children, who also loved knitting and walking.”
Joining thousands of supporters set to embark on a new walking challenge in 2021 is TV star and long-time Memory Walk supporter Kevin Whately, who will endeavour to take on a Trek26 event for the first time.
The Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Lewis actor, whose mother Mary passed away with dementia in 2009, is encouraging the nation to take on a walking challenge this year following a devasting year for people with dementia. He said: “I know from personal experience the impact dementia has on those affected and their families- coronavirus has only exacerbated these challenges further for thousands of families affected by the disease in South East.”
“I am lucky enough to have participated in several Memory Walks, which are always a wonderful way to celebrate and remember a loved one who has been impacted by dementia, as well as enjoying the physical and mental benefits of the great outdoors. I’m now looking forward to upping my steps by taking part in one of Alzheimer’s Society’s trek this summer. “Money raised will help Alzheimer’s Society reach and support more people through the charity’s vital services, like the Dementia Connect support line, which have been a lifeline for thousands of people. I can’t think of a better reason to take on a new challenge.”
Other survey results include: Residents in the South East are on average spending almost three days without getting any fresh air. The average resident stays six hours per day seated, roughly a third of the waking day.
For those who admitted to walking less than 1,000 steps daily, a fifth (20%) put down their lack of steps to shopping online.
Liz Taylor Dementia Connect Local Services Manager Kent said: “Coronavirus has turned life upside down for everyone, especially those affected by dementia. There are more than 23,940 people living with dementia in Kent. They have been worst hit by coronavirus in terms of deaths, both from the virus and knock-on effects of lockdown, and need us now more than ever. Unfortunately, the pandemic has hit us hard financially, despite an unprecedented demand for our services. We want to continue to reach as many people as possible, which is why we’re calling on everyone to put their best foot forward and sign up to one of our walking events.”
Find out more at alzheimers.org.uk/events