Testimonials

"The benefits were instant. The benefits were obvious. It doesn't matter if we can measure it or not."

“It has been nothing short of mind-blowing,” said Jennifer Berger, Deputy Manager, of the Prestwich home’s Activity Centre. “To see residents of 100 years and older cycling for 30 minutes, smiling and singing – it’s absolutely astonishing.”

From the get-go of the first Motiview project in Bergen, Norway in 2012, we saw benefits like increased appetite, mobility, reminiscence, perceived self-efficacy, general contentment and mental wellbeing, better sleep; reduced number of falls, overweight, pains, need for medication, anxiety/distress, and aggressive behaviour. In addition, the use of Motiview was inspiring to staff, because of the benefits for the residents. And these benefits were as prevalent for people living with dementia as for those without the diagnosis.

“My father had a session on one of the bikes and had an amazing time cycling through the countryside. He was completely engaged in the activity, and his mental alertness was the best we’ve seen for ages. Not only that, but my mum got so much pleasure from seeing his enjoyment – it’s something she hasn’t witnessed for a long time.”

"We had a queue of residents waiting to participate yesterday! 34 residents have taken part who were signed up, another 6 have cycled who we didn’t expect to but now want to use the bikes. What has amazed me is that the majority of residents are doing 30 minutes in one stretch."

""It is wonderful, is it just so wonderful! Just wanted to let you know our residents are absolutely loving the Motitech Bike and wanted me to thank you for them as they are reminiscing and also getting them to exercise more than they have! One of our residents have said this bike is something we need and she already does not want to part with it!"

"You've done what the doctors couldn't," - "my legs feel stronger and more agile than for years!""

"Having the bikes and Motiview library on site has a created a great opportunity and a buzz around encouraging exercise to promote physical and cognitive stimulation. Some staff have even buddied up with service users to cycle a marathon over the last phase of our test period (over a period of weeks, of course)"

"They really like the videos and the range of places they can ‘go’ – there are lots of reasons why different places are selected. During the course of the morning we had been to: Glastonbury, Somerset Levels, Montacute House, Lyme Regis, Birmingham Canals and Milan, and it definitely generated conversation. Over the course of a few hours we had talked very naturally about topics such as: how places had changed, where people got married, graduated etc and recollections from the day, places people had lived and worked, picnics on Glastonbury Tor and at the abbey, places people had visited during the war or as part of their jobs, Italian coffee and a trip to Milan. Other topics have been world cuisines, music and instruments we used to play, speaking other languages, weather, the changing seasons, and more."

"We cannot praise this program enough and would want to congratulate you for arranging the trial of such a remarkable product. We know you do so much at Sunrise to inspire the different residents to pursue old and new interests; in our mother’s case, this is the first hobby that has really made an impact on her, giving the opportunity to escape life's trials into real journeys and real physical achievements”.

"It feels like I've travelled the world and I haven't even left the day service—I love the music I listen to when I'm on the bike."

"Wonderful contraption, this! I wish I'd had it some months ago - then I might still have the use of my legs. But I did 10 minutes today, next time I'll do 15 and then 20. After a while, I will hopefully regain the normal use of my legs."

"I’m quite thrilled with it, it’s a really good thing. I try to keep busy and am still quite active, but I think for others who are less mobile it’s really giving them encouragement that they can still do things."

"We’ve never forced anyone to go on the bike, they actually ask to do it, and there’s always people there to chat too, there’s usually more chat there than in the main lounge where people tend to just sit quietly. It’s a conveyor belt of one out one in on the bike!"

"I've had not seen another project that had captured people at Southlawns the way this one has, and personal wellbeing and building relationships is the biggest thing to come out of it so far. It has given people a focus. One resident who had previously said he had no one talk to has made new connections."