Lent in 2013 started on Wednesday, the 13th of February and continues for 46 days until Saturday, the 30th of March. So for all those who gave up something for Lent all of your hard work is nearly over.

Church Services in Shrewsbury

Lent began on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days of lent because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter”, a celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. So after all of the build up to Easter and the culmination of the Easter season on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013, come and join us at the different services that will be held at the Uplands at Oxon nursing home in Shrewsbury.

Reduced activity levels cause a decline in independence which increases feelings of isolation leading to depression and anxiety.

It is important to remember that there are very few people who are not able to undertake some form of physical activity. Inactivity increased the effects of the ageing which leads to a reduction in joint movement, physical strength and bone density (osteoporosis). A study at the Royal Free Hospital * found that after a 12 week exercise programme older adults had increased their strength by 30% equivalent of shaving 30 years off lost strength.

What standards you have a right to expect from the regulation of your care home.The Care Quality Commission has just released a guide for you if you (or a member of your family or a friend) receive care, treatment or support in a care home in England. Care homes provide residential care for people with long or short-term health conditions, older people, disabled people, people with learning disabilities, or people with drug or alcohol problems. Some care homes also provide nursing care. The guide helps you understand what standards of care you have a right to expect in a care home and what to do if you experience poor quality care. This guide explains how we work to make sure that care homes meet national standards of quality and safety and the action we can take if we find care homes are not meeting standards.If you would like to download a full copy of the guide, then click HERE.

Two enthusiastic members of the Uplands decided to try out one of the new exercise machines. A great deal of thought went into which machines to buy and it was decided that we should concentrate our efforts on keeping the core muscles in shape. hopfully the new addition will compliment the bicycle.

Shown in the images are Rev Mary Fernside and Brian Evison being put through their paces under Ireene’s watchful eye.

The Uplands at Oxon newsletter Christmas 2012

The Uplands at Oxon has just had a surprise walk in inspection from the Care Quality Commission. The Uplands at Oxon a nursing home in Shrewsbury, Shropshire remains a fully compliant care home which for a Home of their size, with the clientele they have is an amazing achievement and one that Mandy Thorn the Managing Director of the home would like to congratulate all of her staff for continuing to demonstrate the highest standards of care.

By Michelle Roberts

Health editor, BBC News online

Exercising in your 70s may stop your brain from shrinking and showing the signs of ageing linked to dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University.

Brain scans of 638 people past the age of retirement showed those who were most physically active had less brain shrinkage over a three-year period.

Exercise did not have to be strenuous – going for a walk several times a week sufficed, the journal Neurology says.

But giving the mind a workout by doing a tricky crossword had little impact.

The study found no real brain-size benefit from mentally challenging activities, such as reading a book, or other pastimes such as socialising with friends and family.

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