Golfers Swing into Fitball

Wind and rain, six inches of snow, frost, mud and puddles everywhere. All of this adds-up to disgruntled and frustrated golfers. It’s dark too early to sneak in a round after work and the course is often closed in any case.

 

Not only is your swing in danger of becoming rusty, your generally fitness can also find itself in the bunker.

 

Help can be found in the shape of a rather large ball and some instruction from Neil Sleeman at Platinum Physiotherapy and Personal Training (PPPT).

 

Neil, who’s worked extensively with golfers back in his home country of Australia as well as here in the UK, has devised a unique fitness programme aimed at golfers who suspect that their fitness levels may be dropping below par.

 

“It couldn’t be easier,” said Neil. “We sit the golfer on top of a ‘FitBall’ and then take them through a series of exercises aimed at helping their flexibility, strength, core stability and cardiovascular fitness. It means that once the season gets underway, they can hit the fairways, and hopefully the ball, without the need to regain their fitness levels.”

 

Neil has already started an 8 - week programme for the County Durham Veteran Ladies Golf Team. Their captain, Di Spence, heard about Neil’s idea and mentioned it to some of her team-mates.

 

“In no time at all, Neil had 15 of us sitting on FitBalls, going through a series of exercises,” said Di. “Neil has spent his entire career working with people who’ve suffered from various injuries, stiffness and chronic weakness, and he’s now able to devise a programme that helps you avert these problems or at least take steps to reduce the risks. Whether it helps with my putting, time will tell!!”

 

The FitBall is beneficial for golfers of all levels. It helps you maintain fitness levels, balance, muscle tone etc, keeping you healthy during the winter months and beyond. Golfers have a reputation for not getting injuries assessed; this is where Neil Sleeman, a keen golfer himself, can help. He knows how to diagnose injuries, how to treat them, and how to mark a golfer’s card as to how they can help themselves.

 

You can join Neil at one his FitBall sessions at the Coxhoe Leisure Centre where he’s based, or he can drive to your local golf club to organize a special PPPT FitBall course. He even does home visits. If you fancy getting ‘on the ball’, you can reach him on 0752 567 0574 or email him at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it You could even swing by his website… www.platinumppt.co.uk

 

When Wills Won't Work

Making a will is one of those things that a lot of folk never get around to. And when they do, they assume that all of their affairs will be taken care of when they die. But a will isn’t worth the paper it’s written on if you suddenly find yourself incapacitated. The will only becomes relevant once you’ve ‘fallen off the perch.’ If you are suddenly unable to write, speak or communicate in any way, it becomes impossible to take care of things. In this instance, the will won’t help.

That is why a will and estate planning practice in Durham City is trying to make people more aware of the pitfalls.

More of us are living longer and therefore more of us are likely to struggle when it comes to dealing with our affairs as we grow older. For example, latest figures suggest that over 800,000 people in the UK suffer from Dementia and by the year 2025, that figure could exceed one million.

 

Dementia can make it difficult for people to make accurate decisions on their finances, property, health etc.

 

Fate, as well as other debilitating conditions, can also intervene. Accidents can easily leave an individual in a coma or unable to communicate.

 

“In many cases, although this may sound harsh, death can often be the most straightforward way for people to sort out their affairs,” said Leah Hamilton from Family Wills in Durham. “As long as that person has a will, everything should quickly be sorted out. The problems come when someone is alive, but no longer capable of giving instructions.”

 

Thankfully, there is a way to solve these problems but, as with a will and pensions, you are strongly advised to take care of business while you are fit and healthy. The sooner the better.

 

If the unthinkable happened and you lost your mental capacity, wouldn’t it be great to know that there was someone who could look over your shoulder and make decisions on your behalf; the sort of decisions you would make yourself? That is precisely what a ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ does. You can choose someone to look after your affairs by appointing them to be your attorney. You can have several if you wish. Consequently, if you become unable to control your own affairs, then there will be someone who can act in your best interests.

 

“There are two types of ‘Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)”, added Leah Hamilton; “one for finances and one for health. The Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows your appointed attorney to look after your money, tax and property, while the Health and Welfare LPA allows someone to make decisions regarding your personal wellbeing, covering items like treatment or care. You can give instructions to your attorney, advising them on how you would like them to control your affairs, and you can also instruct whether you would like them to act on your behalf even while you can still communicate. This might, for example, apply to someone who is no longer mobile, but is still fully capable of reading and signing documents.”

 

What happens if you are unable to communicate but haven’t appointed an attorney? Simple…the State gets involved, and that undoubtedly makes everything extremely complicated, very slow and potentially very expensive. Even worse, your family, the people who you would probably choose to manage your affairs, are not allowed to get involved.  Instead, a faceless government body will make those key decisions – and charge you for doing so!

 

Leah added, “Sadly, it’s human nature to put off everything until tomorrow. By appointing a trusted relative or friend as your attorney, you will save yourself and your loved ones a lot of heartache and expense should you find yourself unable to communicate. It’s a bit like having an insurance policy; you hope to never need it, but at least it’s there if something goes wrong”

 

Drawing-up an LPA costs from £127, takes only a week or so to organize, and once it has been registered with the authorities, you and your attorney(s) will know that if the unthinkable happens, everyone will know how to look after you and your affairs.

 

Family Wills was established in 2002 and is a member of The Society of Will Writers and Estate Practitioners. Leah is also a member of TAS - a group of leading, independent will writers.   Her web address is www.familywills.biz

 

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