How residential aged care can keep you active

Movement to keep you strong and healthy

Keeping your body moving, at every age, is important to feel healthy and strong.  According to the World Health Organization, regular physical activity can reduce falls and improve cognitive function in older adults. It can also improve sleep, brain function, mood and overall well-being.

One of the most important reasons to keep moving as you get older is to help prevent falls. Around one in three Australians over the age of 65 has a fall each year. And while that can lead to injury or hospital visits, it can also knock your confidence and make you more hesitant to move. That’s why strength, balance and regular movement is so important, it can help keep you steady on your feet and reduce injury.

You don’t need to ‘work out’ to get the benefits. Gentle movement counts too. Yoga, walking, stretching, dancing – it all adds up. Perhaps most importantly - it just feels good! Plus, another great benefit of movement is having fun with your friends.

Exercise that’s fun

Exercise, and keeping moving, doesn’t have to be the same for everyone. At Anglicare’s residential aged care homes, movement is shaped around what each community enjoys. At Goodhew Gardens, residents love their Zumba (a little music, a little movement, and a lot of fun). At Barry Marsh House, gentle exercises and one-on-one physiotherapy are part of many residents’ weekly routines. And at Dudley Foord House, there’s a walk-and-talk group for those who prefer moving outdoors and catching up with friends along the way.

Some residents take part daily, while others join in when they feel like it. What matters is that movement feels familiar and enjoyable. Often, physiotherapists are available to help guide residents safely, adjusting activities to suit each person’s ability and comfort levels. The goal of exercising is to help people feel good, strong and healthy.

Finding movement that feels good

Delia lives at Barry Marsh House, and she’s always liked to keep moving. Before moving into residential aged care, it was walking, dancing, and bowls (lots of bowls). She travelled for competitions, led club trips, and even served as president.

While she no longer travels for bowls, one thing hasn’t changed: she still enjoys her daily exercise. “I’ve got to do [my] exercises,” she says, smiling. “I do like to keep fit. It just makes  

At Dudley Foord House, Joyce has also found ways to exercise that she enjoys. She loves being outside, especially when it’s cooler. And just as much as she enjoys walking, she loves talking and stopping for chats, sharing a laugh, and connecting with whoever she meets along the way.

“I always used to walk a lot,” she says. “And I found that’s one way of getting to know people – walk and talk. Each day I look forward to catching up with my friends,” Joyce says. “It makes life more interesting.”

Support that moves with you

Everyone moves differently, and that’s exactly how it should be. That’s why at Anglicare residential aged care homes, qualified physiotherapists are available to help residents rebuild strength, improve balance, or just stay mobile day to day.

It might be a few gentle exercises done one-on-one. It might be a personalised plan you can follow in a group setting or on your own. Most importantly, there’s no pressure; just encouragement, guidance, and expert care that moves with you, at your pace.

More than movement, it’s about living well

The benefits of staying active go far beyond physical health. Regular movement helps people feel more confident. It keeps routines familiar. It gives your day structure and a sense of purpose.

That’s why it matters so much in residential aged care; not because it’s a ‘program’, but because it’s part of a meaningful, enjoyable life.

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