Care England have published a new report that shows how physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and wellbeing of care home residents.
The report follows a year long partnership between Be Great Fitness and Tanglewood Care Homes, which delivered weekly seated exercise sessions for residents. It says the sessions led to: increased mobility; emotional resilience; reduced isolation; stronger relationships between residents and staff.
The recommendations are:
- Recognise Physical Activity as Essential, Not Optional, in Adult Social Care
- Support Workforce Development Through Physical Activity Training
- Empower GPs and social prescribers to refer care home residents to in-house exercise programmes and commission delivery partners as part of the local health strategy
The sessions also delivered cognitive stimulation and created informal opportunities for early identification of health changes.