Bike Labyrinth has become an essential part of daily life at Cellitinnen-Seniorenhaus St. Ritastift, a retirement home in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The virtual cycling routes are a perfect fit for the elderly home's unique principle: "As much independence as possible, as much support as necessary." Marc Roßkamp, a social worker at the retirement home in Düren, knows how important it is to promote the residents enjoyment of life and mobility. Bike Labyrinth makes it easy for the elderly to create a shared experience, reminisce together and enjoy a fun activity that gets them moving.
The path to Bike Labyrinth
In a time where retirement homes are often seen as the final stop for many people, the team at the retirement home St. Ritastift wanted to make a change. By taking part in a project sponsored by a German health insurance company named AOK, Bike Labyrinth was first introduced at the Cellitinnen-Seniorenhaus St. Ritastift in Düren. The "SGB Reha" project aims to combine therapy and rehabilitation services with social long-term care insurance, opening up a path to mobility and activity. The project's goal is to keep people in need of care independent and healthy, and even improve their overall well-being. Sometimes, the results are so good that people can even return to their own homes. The team in Düren quickly realized that Bike Labyrinth offers a gateway to new experiences, exciting adventures, and a more mobile life.
“Bike Labyrinth was the best purchase we ever made!”
Journeys through memories
The Cellitinnen-Seniorenhaus in Düren has found something special in Bike Labyrinth: the ability to spark conversations and bring back memories. These shared bike tours get people talking, especially when they virtually ride through familiar places. German cities like Aachen or Cologne are very popular among the seniors. Marc Roßkamp tells us that these nearby cities hold special meanings for many residents. However that doesn't stop some seniors from using Bike Labyrinth to explore the world and go on virtual adventures. It's the mix of the familiar and the new that makes Bike Labyrinth so popular in Düren. Everyone, from staff to residents, is just as excited about it. The social pedagogue enthusiastically claims; "Something like this should be in every retirement home in Germany".
Escape from everyday life
Bike Labyrinth hasn't just been an emotional boost for the residents of the retirement home. The chance to escape everyday life and get out and about is a big motivator for the seniors. The easy accessibility plays a key role in its use; cycling is a familiar activity for most people. This makes the hurdle of breaking out of routine and trying something new a lot lower. Even during Bike Labyrinth's trial period - during which the seniors can try Bike Labyrinth for free - the virtual cycling was a real hit! One resident even left his family waiting: "I don't have time. I have to go cycling." Shortly after, he was back pedaling away. But even after the trial period, Bike Labyrinth proved to be a welcome activity. Now, the seniors can discover the virtual world every Monday and Tuesday under the supervision of a sports therapist. The demand is so high that appointments have to be made for the cycling tours. As soon as one route is finished, the next person is already raring to go and looking forward to virtual cycling. The retirement home in Düren has now installed a second Bike Labyrinth. This allows residents to go on virtual trips together, reminisce, and stay active together!
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