Family CARE Grant Lets Patients Access This Low-impact Activity
Published Monday, June 23, 2025
Debbie Walsh, Registered Kinesiologist with the Regional Bariatric Care Centre and the Paediatric Healthy Living Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, demonstrates the new recumbent stationary bike purchased through the Hospital Foundation's Family CARE Grant Program.
Regular movement is a key element to living a healthy lifestyle with many immediate and long-term benefits to both our physical and mental health. For some individuals, incorporating movement into their day can be a challenge, especially if they are experiencing joint pain.
However, one non-weight-bearing, low-impact activity that can make movement more comfortable is a recumbent stationary bike. It has a nice wide, padded seat, which is easy on the joints and smooth to ride. The design and sturdy construction provides patients with a much lower risk of losing balance, falling, or putting strain on (sometimes painful) joints.
Thanks to the Family CARE Grant Program, the Regional Bariatric Care Centre and Paediatric Healthy Living Program at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre now have a recumbent stationary bike available for patients to try – another way you're helping people improve health and quality of life for people across Northwestern Ontario.
“It's amazing how quickly a little bit of movement makes a big difference,” said Debbie Walsh, a Registered Kinesiologist at the Regional Bariatric Care Centre and the Paediatric Healthy Living Program. “Our patients experience the immediate benefits that movement brings. The most common is feeling better, and having them experience that during their appointment is so rewarding.
“That's how I see my role: helping people develop or maintain an active lifestyle that is meaningful and enjoyable to them. The patients I work with have a wide range of fitness levels from limited daily movement to very active lifestyles.”
Many of Walsh's patients travel from the region to access care, including many from remote communities. Previously, Walsh would have to set up another appointment at a separate location to access this type of exercise equipment, which wasn't always possible. Now, with the recumbent bike in her office, all patients can have access to low-impact exercise during their appointment.
It gives Walsh the opportunity to show them how to use the bike safely and teach them how to tune in to how their body feels and responds to exercise.
“For patients who haven't been active in a while, my goal is to help them build confidence and feel comfortable moving their bodies in a safe setting,” Walsh said. “I don't pressure anybody and I don't want to approach it like a fitness test. I want to provide our patients an opportunity to use the bike in an enjoyable and non-intimidating way.”
Walsh told the story of one client who was reluctant to try. Eventually with support, they spent two minutes on the bike. After a few sessions, they built up to 15 minutes.
“It's rewarding for them to see that they can progress and improve their stamina and comfort level.”
Walsh said that she helps patients and families access similar equipment to use in their homes or community settings – another example of the comprehensive support that these programs offer.
“Making positive lifestyle changes can improve health regardless of any changes in body size,” Walsh said. “Everyone, regardless of body size, can benefit from regular movement.”
The recumbent bike is having a major impact on patient care – and it's all because of your support of the Family CARE (“Care Advancement Recommended by Employees”) Grant Program. It's like a suggestion box for frontline staff at the Hospital, but with funding to help bring their ideas to life. Thanks to donors like you, the Family CARE Grant program funded 74 projects worth almost $140,000 in 2024.
Find out more about the program and how you can support it at: healthsciencesfoundation.ca/familycare
Article by: Graham Strong