How to Promote Physical Activity in Health and Social Care

Physical activity means movement carried out by the muscles that uses energy. It covers everything from walking to gardening, structured exercise to moving between rooms. The Chief Medical Officers in the UK advise adults to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. For children, the guidance is at least 60 minutes a day. The benefits reach across all age groups, backgrounds, and abilities.

In health and social care, supporting movement is part of person-centred care. Staff often work with people who have a range of needs, including disabilities, long-term health conditions, age-related frailty, or mental health concerns. Movement supports better health, confidence, and independence.

What are the Benefits of Physical Activity?

Movement lifts quality of life. Physically active people often enjoy better physical health, stronger muscles and bones, and improved balance. Exercise boosts mental health too—cutting feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Other benefits can include:

• Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
• Support with weight management
• Reduced risk of falls in older adults
• Improved cognitive function
• More social opportunities

This applies to care home residents, patients receiving home care, day centre visitors, and people recovering in rehabilitation settings. Staff and families can see real changes in motivation, energy, and social connections.

Barriers to Movement

Many factors can limit movement, especially for people receiving care or support.

Common barriers include:

• Pain or discomfort
• Lack of motivation or confidence
• Poor mobility or physical disabilities
• Long-term conditions (like arthritis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Mental health challenges
• Environmental restrictions (such as limited space or equipment)
• Staff attitudes or a lack of knowledge

Some people may fear injury or worry about embarrassment. Others might believe they are too old or unwell to be active. Low staffing levels or heavy workloads can lead care workers to offer assistance rather than encourage independence.

Encouraging Choice and Independence

Supporting choice helps people feel in control. Asking about likes, dislikes, previous interests, and current concerns builds trust. Listening carefully encourages people to try new activities or adapt ones they enjoyed in the past.

Ways to encourage choice:

• Offer a range of activities—indoors and outdoors, individual and group-based
• Include family and friends in discussions where appropriate
• Give simple, clear explanations about the benefits
• Start with small steps to build confidence

When people feel empowered, they are more likely to participate and maintain activity in daily life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

The physical and social setting can help or hinder movement. Even small changes in care environments can invite movement, choice, and fun.

Helpful approaches include:

• Safe, non-slip flooring
• Clear spaces for walking or wheelchairs
• Chairs with arms to aid standing and sitting
• Accessible toilets and handrails
• Clutter-free environments

Bright and attractive spaces—with music, pictures, and natural light—invite people to join activities. Staff who use encouraging language and offer patient support make a real difference.

Role of Staff in Supporting Physical Activity

Care staff set the tone for a movement-friendly culture. Their attitudes, skills, and actions either encourage or discourage movement. Providing kind encouragement, help with equipment, and gentle motivation can inspire regular activity.

Staff can:

• Receive training on safe techniques
• Observe and record individual abilities and progress
• Work with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or physiologists when needed
• Share positive feedback and celebrate progress

Involving staff at all levels—from support workers and nurses to managers—means that movement becomes part of daily routines.

Adapting Activities for Different Needs

Physical activities can be adapted for people with a wide range of abilities. Even those with limited mobility or health challenges can benefit.

Some ideas for varied needs:

• Chair-based exercises: Seated movement, stretches, and arm lifts
• Walking groups: Indoors or outdoors, with support if needed
• Tai chi and yoga: Gentle, with adapted options
• Dancing: Can be done seated or standing
• Gardening: Potting plants, watering, or digging small beds
• Simple games: Ball passes, bean bag toss, or balloon volleyball

For people living with dementia, music and movement sessions connect memory and enjoyment. For young people with learning disabilities, dance and sport sessions can promote socialising and wellbeing.

Integrating Physical Activity Into Daily Routines

Movement often works best when it slots smoothly into daily life.

Ways to do this include:

• Encouraging walking around the home or garden
• Supporting standing activities, such as making tea or folding laundry
• Using stairs where safe and possible
• Turning chores into activity (e.g., tidying or sweeping)
• Playing music and inviting movement during group sessions

Making activity part of regular care—such as during personal care, mealtimes, or morning routines—helps normalise movement.

Involving Families and Carers

Family and unpaid carers have a strong influence on daily routines and opportunities for movement. Working together can boost confidence and fun.

Tips for involving families:

• Explain the benefits and types of activity
• Share activity plans or progress
• Invite family members to join in, if appropriate
• Address any concerns or questions

Open conversations help families support active living outside formal care settings.

Overcoming Common Barriers

Some staff worry about risks like falls, injury, or resistance. Active risk assessment is key—balancing safety with the benefits of movement. Start with low-risk activities, increase support as needed, and celebrate early wins.

Strategies to tackle challenges:

• Build motivation with praise and encouragement
• Use reassurance and gentle reminders
• Give choices and control over pace and type of activity
• Adapt activities for comfort and enjoyment (for example, shorter sessions)
• Seek input from other professionals for specialist advice

Supporting staff with ongoing training and supervision boosts confidence.

Monitoring Progress and Celebrating Success

Tracking progress helps people set goals and notice improvements. This builds confidence and motivation.

Approaches include:

• Keeping simple records of activity (written or using tick charts)
• Setting personal goals—like walking to the end of the corridor or standing unaided
• Sharing progress with family and fellow staff

Small celebrations—like certificates, clapping, or sharing achievements in a group—help create a sense of pride.

Promoting Equality and Inclusion

Everyone deserves equal access to active living opportunities, regardless of background, disability, or age. Culture, faith, and personal preferences shape how people view and engage in movement.

Support inclusion by:

• Respecting individual beliefs about exercise or activity
• Providing culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive activity options
• Translating materials or offering explanations for people with communication needs
• Listening carefully to everyone’s views

Equality supports better engagement and health outcomes for everyone.

Supporting Long-Term Change

Lasting change happens when physical movement is seen as part of the culture, not a rare event. Leadership, teamwork, and positive attitudes shape this environment. Regular review, feedback from people receiving care, and staff enthusiasm all encourage positive habits.

Sustainable practices include:

• Embedding movement goals in care plans
• Including discussions about activity in reviews and handovers
• Highlighting the positive outcomes to staff and families
• Reviewing and updating resources, equipment, and spaces regularly

Expanding activity opportunities, sharing good ideas, and building local partnerships all help maintain momentum.

Resources and Support

There is a wide range of support available. Local councils, NHS trusts, charities, community groups, and national sports bodies offer information, activity packs, and workshops.

Some helpful places to look:

• Public Health England’s guidance on physical activity
• Age UK, Sport England, Mind, and local branches of Parkinson’s UK or Alzheimer’s Society
• Local leisure centres and community sports clubs
• NHS physiotherapy teams and rehabilitation services

Many organisations offer free tips, printed resources, and videos aimed at different abilities.

Final Thoughts

Physical activity is life-enhancing in any care setting. Encouraging and supporting movement means listening, adapting, and working as a team. Small steps—like walking to the garden or joining a seated exercise—can spark enjoyment and better health. Everyone can play a part, from support staff and care workers to family and activity coordinators.

Simple changes, empathy, and good planning open up opportunities for active, independent living. The results are stronger bodies, healthier minds, and a better quality of life for people supported by health and social care services.