Care England publish report on the benefits of exercise for older adults in care homes
Care England has published a report entitled, ‘From Inactivity to Independence: A Fitness Approach for Older People in Adult Social Care’.
This report is based on a partnership between Be Great Fitness and Tanglewood Care Homes that has seen weekly seated exercise sessions delivered to Tanglewood Care Home residents since August 2024. These sessions, tailored for accessibility, have led to improved health, increased mobility, greater emotional resilience, reduced isolation, improved confidence, enhanced wellbeing and facilitated stronger relationships between residents and staff.
The report shares residents’ stories, including from individuals recovering from strokes, coping with visual impairments, and living with dementia, and recommends:
- Recognising physical activity as essential, not optional, in adult social care.
- Supporting workforce development through physical activity training.
- Empowering 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.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:
“This report shows that movement in care is about far more than fitness. It restores purpose, dignity, and joy. We’ve seen residents reconnect with themselves and others through these sessions, and that is the true meaning of person-centred care, which also delivers a significant financial benefit to the NHS”.
You can read the report here: https://www.careengland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BGF-7.pdf