Key Takeaways

Small but consistent routine changes will help residents physical and mental wellbeing.
Exercise adds a social element, making it a fun group activity to join in with.
Most abilities can take part in some form of exercise.

Exploring the Benefits of Exercise for the Elderly with Spearhead

Exercise can take a back seat in later life, especially when residents may not be as mobile as they once were. This can be disheartening for residents and often lead to a lack of exercise within care homes. However, the benefits far outweigh the negatives and if there are able-bodied residents, helping them to exercise regularly could be the key to a happier care home.

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Quick Win Elderly Exercises

The aim is to help keep routine and give residents a fun, healthy activity to take part in. Here are some quick activities to get your residents moving, even if it’s for a few minutes.

Sit-to-stands: Resident is seated, then lean forward and stand up from the chair. This may be focused on more able-bodied residents.
Marching in place: Resident marches on the spot, lifting knees high. If needed, residents can hold on to support. Great for cardio!
Walking: A short walk round the care home or grounds will be beneficial and is very low impact. This can also be done in groups or pairs, adding a social element.
Shoulder rolls: This will help relieve any tension and is simple, meaning most residents can participate even if they’re unable to walk.

Keep your exercises simple but effective, adding the social element for residents will really help with participation.

Why is Exercise Important to Seniors?

An exercise routine can bring stability and excitement to care home residents, helping them to keep healthy and adding more social time to their days. Forming a habit such as exercise into resident’s days makes it more likely they’ll continue to exercise if they’re able to. This will then have more knock on positive effects for residents, including:

Improved sleep: Sleep is essential to maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and exercise can help contribute to a better night of sleep.
Improved strength: Without exercise, muscles waste away. Keeping them moving means they’ll stay active and support independent mobility.
Improved cardiovascular health: Exercising later in life means reducing the risk of strokes and heart disease.

Making small changes in a resident’s day-to-day routines, such as a walk around the care home once a day, will help to improve their quality of life.

Mental Benefits to Exercising in Care Homes

Socialising

Socialising with other residents makes exercise appealing and fun. The social aspect of walking together or doing some smaller exercises gives a shared hobby to discuss with one another. It also adds socialisation with carers, if they need assistance during exercises or walks.

Reduces Anxiety and Depression

As residents age, they may feel socially withdrawn due to illness or lack of mobility compared to their younger years, which can result in lower moods. Exercise is proven to help reduce anxiety and depression.

Confidence Boosting

Exercising boosts moods and overall confidence, the achievement that residents will feel when completing an exercise will bring their confidence up. This is great for overall morale and even for their social skills.

Why Choose Spearhead

For over 30 years, Spearhead has supported UK care providers with dependable products, friendly expertise and responsive aftercare. See how we listen, understand and deliver on our Why Choose Spearhead page, then talk to us about the specific challenges in your care home.

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Benefits of Exercise for the Elderly in Care Homes