Staying Active As An Older Person And With Long-Term Health Conditions
These videos are especially beneficial to those who are living with a long-term health condition, or may be in their senior years. It's more important than ever that people are able to keep moving in their homes and have something to do to stay active. Below are a few ideas.
Chair Based Exercises
SASP have online exercise classes in the form of pre-recorded videos that are great to do from the comfort of your own home. You can pause the videos and re-watch at any time, meaning it's easy to follow on as many times as you want and at your own pace. The class uses chair based exercises, meaning people who struggle to stand either for long periods or without support will be able to participate. These videos are designed to help improve strength, mobility and flexibility.
NHS Health Condition Workout Videos
The NHS have created a range of exercise videos for people to be able to try at home, varying from 10-45 minutes in length. Many of these are ideal for those with long-term health conditions, such as Fibromyalgia, Osteoprorosis, Arthritis and more.
Help for older and vulnerable people and those with lower digital skills
BT Skills for Tomorrow are working with the Good Things Foundation on supporting older and vulnerable people and those with low or no digital skills to stay in contact with family and friends, to keep up to date, and to be healthy during the spread of the coronavirus. Click here to find out more.
Learn My Way
Do you need help to improve your digital skills? This helpful site offers advice, from how to use your device to online basics and how to video call – as well as much more.
Arthritis Action
Many people living with a long-term health condition find it difficult to attend exercise classes. To help them, Arthritis Action recently launched a series of online chair based exercises developed with the aim of helping those with hip, knee or spinal Osteoarthritis more mobile and active.
Move It or Lose It
As well as the video left, Move It or Lose It have put together a pdf of the Cuppa routine with photographs if you want to supply print versions of this for people who are not online. They are also doing a Facebook Live exercise class every weekday at 2.30pm. For more information on this and to download a free COVID-19 support pack for older people click here.
10 Today
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Expert physiotherapists have designed a set of six simple exercises that you can do from your own home to make sure that you are getting some exercise. Strengthening your muscles will improve your mood, help your sleeping patterns, bring benefits for your overall health and wellbeing and importantly prevent deconditioning.
Getting started is easy, try out the strength and balance six exercises. Watch our animation above to get started, or download and print a poster below. Get on your feet and do them daily – or at least twice a week! Check this out on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists website.
NHS Guidance
Additionally, the NHS have some fantastic guides for home exercise. These are great for all ages, but particularly if you're over 65:
Make Movement your Mission (MMyM)

Make Movement your Mission and ICAN Calendar - LIVE online 10-15 minute activity snacks for older people or those who have been less active and want to ease back into movement and activity.
Join via this Facebook link (or search for Make Movement your Mission) at 8am, 12 noon and 4pm every day of the week. After the live session the videos are available on the same Facebook Page to view as well as on YouTube.
Active at Home Booklet - Public Health England
This booklet has been developed by Public Health England to support older people and those who are shielded to be active and healthy at home.
This is part of the Sport England Join the Movement campaign designed to provide inspiration and trusted information to the public about how to get active in and around the home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Other Resources
Age UK Strength and Balance Training (PDF, 484 Kb)
Preventing Falls - Top Tips (PDF, 86 Kb)
A Guide for Older People Staying Active At Home (PDF, 455 Kb)