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Supporting adults with long term health conditions

3 women enjoying Zumba in a garden in front of a fence

64% of people living with long term health conditions would like to be more active1. The NHS and Healthcare professionals are the top two sources for trusted information and guidance on how to be active2.

In England, 43% of the population has at least one long term health condition3. Physical activity can help manage more than 20 common physical and mental health conditions4 however people with a long term health condition are twice as likely to be inactive as people without5.

Many people living with a long term health condition would like to be more active. The key is finding what works for each individual; often this can be as simple as building movement into everyday life such as taking the stairs rather than a lift or carrying the shopping home.

On this page you’ll find training and resources to help you encourage people with long term health conditions to be more active.

FIND RESOURCES FOR A SPECIFIC LONG-TERM CONDITION

THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE RISKS

For the overwhelming majority of people, physical activity is safe, even for those living with symptoms from multiple medical conditions.

The benefits of physical activity for your patients / clients with long term conditions are well documented.   Simply put, any amount of movement will be beneficial and there is usually no need to gain 'permission' from health professionals, provided patients start gradually. 

However, this is often contrary to the perceptions of patients themselves and many professionals feel unsure about what advice they should give to people living with symptomatic medical conditions.

To help address concerns around risk, Moving Medicine have developed a consensus statement and infographic to help professionals understand what safety advice to give people with long-term conditions in clinical practice.  

Read the consensus statement around risk that has been peer reviewed and published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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Moving Medicine

Moving Medicine

An evidence-based, online tool providing healthcare professionals with one, five, and more-minute conversation guides by condition to help integrate physical activity into routine clinical care.

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Virtual Village Hall

Virtual Village Hall

The Virtual Village Hall is an online activity hub and community, designed to help people stay physically and mentally active, connected and having fun. Sessions are led by expert tutors and some well-known faces and require very little space or equipment.

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SURREY COALITION OF DISABLED PEOPLE

Access to advice and support to help adults with disabilities living in Surrey to get more active.

 

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SURREY INFORMATION POINT

Find local activities and organisations through Surrey’s easy to use online directory. Filter by category and postcode for more information.

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RESOURCES FOR SPECIFIC LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS

Find e-learning, conversation guides, activity ideas and downloadable resources by long term condition to help make it quick and easy to support people to become more active.

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VIDEO CONTENT

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Find e-learning, conversation guides, activity ideas and downloadable resources by long term condition to help make it quick and easy to support people to become more active.

DOWNLOAD

VIDEO CONTENT

WEBSITE LINK

Arthritis

Asthma, COPD and other Lung Conditions

Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease

Dementia

Diabetes

Falls and Frailty

Osteoporosis and other MSK Conditions

Parkinson’s

Perioperative Care

Stroke

Moving Medicine Conversation Guide

Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guide to help you have good quality conversations about how moving more helps manage this long term condition.

Stroke - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Perioperative care - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Parkinson's - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Type 1 Diabetes - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Falls and Frailty - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Musculoskeletal Pain - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Type 2 Diabetes - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

COPD - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guide to help you have good quality conversations about how moving more helps manage COPD.

Cancer - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Ischaemic heart disease - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!

Dementia - Moving Medicine

Step-by-step guides to help you have good quality conversations about physical activity. Just pick how much time you’ve got, 1 minute, 5 minutes or more!
Downloadable resources to print off or share electronically

Getting Active after a stroke

This guide from Stroke Association is packed with practical tips on how to stay motivated and plan more activity into everyday life.

Stroke Patient Information Leaflet

Being active is important after having a stroke, this leaflet from Moving Medicine offers top tips on keeping active and how to build activity into everyday life.

Perioperative Patient Information Leaflet

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on being active before and after an operation.

Fitter Better Sooner The Royal College of Anaesthetists

Fitter, Better, Sooner- The Royal College of Anaesthetists has produced patient resources on becoming fitter and more physically prepared for surgery, including leaflets on specific operations, and patient videos.

Parkinson's Patient Information Leaflet - Mild to Moderate

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with mild to moderate Parkinson's.

Parkinson's Patient Information Leaflet - Later stage

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with later stage Parkinson's.

Parkinson's Exercise Framework

The framework from Parkinson’s UK includes key messages for professionals and examples of exercises.to help people with Parkinson's choose exercise styles that are right for them and their symptoms.

6 Exercises for Strength and Balance.

Keeping Active Leaflet from Active Surrey.

Guildford & Waverley Health and Wellbeing Packs

The Guildford and Waverley Health and Wellbeing Pack provides lots of useful advice about health, wellbeing and falls prevention, along with information about local services available to support people living independently in their community.

Diabetes and Swimming – Supporting Swimmers fact sheet

Swimming, as with most forms of exercise, is great for people with diabetes. It can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, help manage blood sugar levels in type 2 and gestational diabetes, it increases insulin sensitivity and can contribute to weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight.  This fact sheet is full of information, tips and advice about how you can help an individual participate in swimming and other disciplines, if they are living with diabetes.

Diabetes Patient Information Leaflet

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with diabetes.

MSK Patient Information Leaflet

Being active is important for Musculoskeletal Pain, this leaflet from Moving Medicine offers top tips on keeping active and how to build activity into everyday life.

About exercise for osteoporosis and bone health

Fact sheet from the Royal Osteoporosis Society about exercise for osteoporosis and bone health.

Staying Steady Downloadable Information Guide

A guide by Age UK on how someone can reduce their risk of falling.

Falls and Frailty Patient Info Leaflet

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with a susceptibility to falls or frailty.

Saga's Guide to Staying Steady

Find out more about the risks of falling and how to prevent falls.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patient Information Leaflet

Being active is important for COPD, this leaflet from Moving Medicine offers top tips on keeping active and how to build activity into everyday life.

Asthma + Lung UK Exercise Handbook

This handbook supports people with lung conditions to get more active. It shows different exercises and gives tips on exercising safely with a lung condition.

Asthma and Swimming – supporting swimmers fact sheet

Swimming is a preferred activity for many adults with asthma.  This fact sheet from Swim England is full of information, tips and advice about how you can help an individual participate in swimming and other disciplines, if living with asthma.

Dementia Patient Info Leaflet

Being active is important for dementia, this leaflet from Moving Medicine offers top tips on keeping active and how to build activity into everyday life.

Dementia and Swimming - Supporting Swimmers Fact Sheet

This fact sheet is full of information, tips and advice about how you can help an individual participate in swimming, if living with dementia.

Love to Move booklet

An exercise booklet containing some of the key exercises from the Love to Move programme, an age and dementia friendly seated gymnastics programme which is transforming the lives of people living with dementia.

Heart Disease Patient Information Leaflet

Being active is important for heart disease, this leaflet from Moving Medicine offers top tips on keeping active and how to build activity into everyday life.

Physical activity and cancer booklet

This booklet from Macmillan Cancer Support explains what physical activity is, its benefits and how to be safe when exercising. It also includes information about the types of activity you can do and how to get started.

Cancer Patient Information Leaflet

Being active is important for cancer patients, this leaflet from Moving Medicine offers top tips on keeping active and how to build activity into everyday life.

Cancer and Swimming – Supporting Swimmers fact sheet

Regular swimming can be an excellent form of exercise for individuals during and after treatment for cancer. This fact sheet explains what you might need to know to support people to take part in swimming and other aquatic activities, during and after treatment for cancer.

Keep moving information booklet

This booklet from Versus Arthritis offers people living with arthritis information on why exercise is important and top tips on getting started, setting activity goals and ideas on the types of exercise to do.

Exercises to keep you moving poster

It’s important to keep moving when you have arthritis. These exercises from Versus Arthritis will help the people you support to stretch and strengthen their joints.

Moving more when you have diabetes guide

Guide from Diabetes UK to moving more, packed full of information and inspiration to support people on their journey to get active.

Type 1 Diabetes Patient Information Leaflet

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with type 1 diabetes.

Surgery and Swimming - Supporting Swimmers fact sheet

People who exercise before and after surgery have better results and reduced complications. For many, swimming and aquatic activity is the best form of exercise. It is controlled and there is little impact on joints. This fact sheet has some suggestions on how you might be able to support swimmers before or after an operation.

Musculoskeletal Pain Patient Information Leaflet

This patient information leaflet from Moving Medicine contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with musculoskeletal pain.

Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Patient Information Leaflet

This patient information leaflet contains a summary of key information and practical tips on physical activity for people with inflammatory rheumatic disease. 
Stories

Zoe - We Are Undefeatable

After her stroke, Zoe found that being consistent with her exercises helped her to recover and get back to doing the things she loved.

Andy's strong story - The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Andy, who had a stroke on holiday shares how exercise and strengthening and conditioning makes him feel better. 

Jagdeep - We Are Undefeatable

Jagdeep’s Parkinson’s diagnosis came as a shock, but after some research, he decided to take up boxing.

John - We Are Undefeatable

John was determined to do something for himself and his friends also diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and so they created their own walking football team for people with Parkinson’s and stroke survivors.

Ila's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Ila and her daughters all manage a variety of health conditions – and they all lean on each other for support.

Mahesh's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Mahesh has recently turned to online yoga to help manage some of the symptoms of his conditions.

Chris' Story - We Are Undefeatable

Chris has gone from hiding his Type 1 Diabetes to playing football with an entire team of players living with diabetes.

Meg - We Are Undefeatable

Meg fits in little moments of activity into her daily life with Type 2 diabetes.

Zahoor's Story - We Are Undefeatable

After being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, Zahoor made a point of finding more ways to fit activity into his life.

Tommy's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Tommy has gotten creative with how he keeps moving around the home to help keep the “black dog” of dementia at bay.

Julie and Peter's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Peter supports Julie as she lives with Alzheimer’s, including getting both of them out to the park for a run.

Ian's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Ian’s home work-outs allow him to stop and start, working around his energy levels and his lung condition.

Krisina's Story - We Are Undefeatable

On the days she can, Krisina finds ways to run while managing her asthma.

Ila's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Ila and her daughters all manage a variety of health conditions – and they all lean on each other for support.

Heraldo's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Heraldo has found ways to stretch muscles he didn’t even know he had after his heart surgery.

Hill walking after heart bypass - Heart Matters, British Heart Foundation

After heart bypass surgery, Martin started conquering the hills of England.

Tony's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Tony’s cancer can be difficult to navigate, but playing walking football with his team can help.

Heraldo's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Heraldo has found ways to stretch muscles he didn’t even know he had after his heart surgery.

Darlaine - We Are Undefeatable

Darlaine has managed to get active whilst living with breast cancer thanks to the support of her sister and their shared sense of humour.

Ellie's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Ellie has discovered an entire community of dragon boat paddlers because of her breast cancer.

Meena's Story - We Are Undefeatable

For Meena, swimming means relieving her arthritis and calming her mind.

Linda's Story - We Are Undefeatable

Linda has to more than just navigate the ins and outs of living with arthritis; she has to help her husband manage his conditions as well.
Exercise Ideas

Getting moving after a stroke

Information from the Stroke Association on how being active can boost recovery, confidence and wellbeing after a stroke.

Let’s Move for Surgery

In the Surgery Toolkit from Versus Arthritis, you'll find tailor-made, follow-along exercise routines for hip, shoulder and knee replacement, as well as full body workouts to help people maintain overall fitness.   

How can being active help you prepare for heart surgery

Information from the British Heart Foundation on how physical activity could help before surgery.

Home Video Workouts from Parkinson's UK

A range of video workouts to help people with Parkinson’s stay active at home from chair-based aerobics to balance exercises.

Physical Activity and Exercise with Parkinson's

Information from Parkinson’s UK on how physical activity and exercise can help people live well with Parkinson’s including an activity finder for local groups, support and social activities in and around Surrey.

Exercise Fund — Neuro physio led exercise classes in partnership with Parkinson’s UK

Neuro Heroes, an online physical activity provider for people with neurological conditions is helping to remove the financial barrier to physical activity by subsidising six classes for people with Parkinson’s who would otherwise be unable to join. The online sessions are designed to target specific symptoms and help people improve their balance, strength, coordination and flexibility.

Exercise for bones

Information from the Royal Osteoporosis Society on exercise that is good for your bones and examples of muscle strengthening exercises.

Exercise and physical activity for osteoporosis

A collection of exercise routines and movements that are safe for someone with osteoporosis from the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Surrey strength & balance (falls) classes (activesurrey.com)

Evidence based Otago Strength and Balance Exercise Programme to reduce falls in frailer older people. Find a list of Otago classes and instructors on the Active Surrey website.

Let’s Get Steady falls prevention advice and information from Guildford and Waverley Health and Care Alliance

Here you can watch two local firefighters demonstrating strength and balance exercises from the Get Up and Go booklet, which is produced by Saga and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 

Stay Active at Home

Strength and balance exercises for older adults from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.  

Physical activity and exercise from Alzheimer's Society

Leading a physically active lifestyle can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of people with dementia. This web page explains why being physically active is important for people with dementia. It gives examples of suitable exercises and physical activities for people in different stages of the condition and suggests how much activity is appropriate.

Meaningful activities from Dementia UK

Physical activity information, advice and suggestions which a person with dementia may like to do around the home.

Alzheimer’s Table Tennis Therapy

Table tennis instructional video, downloadable warm-up exercise posters, simple game ideas, and coaching tips perfect for older people, active ageing, and table tennis Alzheimer’s therapy from the Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy foundation.

Exercising with a heart problem

Exercise tips and information from the British Heart Foundation.

Home Exercise Videos from Heart UK

Exercise tips and information from Heart UK including a range of exercise videos from Heart K and CP+R (Clinical Prevention & Rehabilitation).

The British Heart Foundation 10 minute workout

British Heart Foundation Physical Activity Specialist offers tips on how to be active every day and demonstrates a 10-minute workout which can be done at home.

How can being active help you prepare for heart surgery

Information from the British Heart Foundation on how physical activity could help before surgery.

Exercise and Breast Cancer

Top tips and where to start with exercise from Breast Cancer Now including exercising during treatment.

Exercise videos for after treatment for breast cancer

Eight exercise videos from Breast Cancer Now to help start or restart exercise after treatment.

Physical activity and cancer

Information from Macmillan Cancer Support on being active during treatment and exercise recommendations 

MOVE Charity - Cancer, Support, Exercise

MOVE Charity was founded in 2016 by international athlete Gemma Hillier-Moses to provide people with the support that she never received when she was diagnosed with cancer aged 24. Move against cancer offers a FREE 8-week online building foundations programme for 13-30 year olds living with & beyond cancer.

Move your way exercise sessions

A group of resources to help inspire, support & educate people in their journey to Moving Against Cancer. The resources include educational workshops, ‘Move Your Way’ exercise sessions, Q&A’s, as well as a range of educational blogs and articles. 

Keeping active with a lung condition

This information from Asthma + Lung UK explains the benefits of being active and gives practical advice on how to get started. It also gives an overview of what to expect on a pulmonary rehabilitation course.

Getting active with asthma

Information and top tips from Asthma + Lung UK on keeping active with asthma.

Gardening and asthma

Information on how gardening can benefit asthma, avoid asthma symptoms and deal with triggers in the garden.

Diabetes and Exercise

Information from Diabetes UK on the benefits of being active when you have diabetes, different activities to try and how being more active can affect blood glucose (sugar) levels.  

Free exercise videos, phone support and extras

Diabetes UK have a range of free resources to help people living with Diabetes to get moving.

Exercising with Arthritis

Top tips and specific exercises from Versus Arthritis Physical Activity Support.

Let’s Move

A free programme from Versus Arthritis for people with arthritis who want more movement in their lives.

Let’s move with Leon

A 12-week programme of 30-minute movement sessions, presented by fitness expert Leon Wormley. The programme has been created for people with Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions who want more movement in their lives. Created by Versus Arthritis and funded by Sport England.

Let’s Move for Surgery

In the Surgery Toolkit from Versus Arthritis, you'll find tailor-made, follow-along exercise routines for hip, shoulder and knee replacement, as well as full body workouts to help people maintain overall fitness.
E-learning

Health Education England: Cardiovascular conditions

This free session discusses the positive impact of physical activity on people living with cardiovascular conditions.

Parkinson's: physical activity and exercise (Excellence Network)

This free 2 hour course from Parkinson’s UK is for people who provide or promote physical activity and exercise to people with Parkinson's. This may be in a leisure centre, health care setting or in the community.

Health Education England - Muscular Skeletal Health

This free session examines the positive impact of physical activity on musculoskeletal health.

Health Education England - Muscular Skeletal Health

This free session examines the positive impact of physical activity on musculoskeletal health.

Health Education England - Older Adults

This free session discusses the positive impact of physical activity on older people.

Health Education England - Type 2 Diabetes

This free session discusses the positive impact of physical activity on diabetes.

Emotional Wellbeing | Diabetes UK CPD

This 90-minute free session will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support people living with diabetes with their emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Health Education England: Cardiovascular conditions

This free session discusses the positive impact of physical activity on people living with cardiovascular conditions.

Health Education England: Cancer Conditions

This free session discusses the positive impact of physical activity on people living with cancer.
Training and Guidance for Health & Exercise Professionals

ESCAPE-pain facilitator training for knee, hip and back pain

The ESCAPE-pain facilitator training consists of a 1.5 day course, covering ESCAPE-pain for hips, knees and backs. The programmes have been successfully delivered in outpatient physiotherapy departments, leisure centres and local community settings by physiotherapists, osteopaths and exercise professionals.

ESCAPE-pain e-learning

Each e-Learning session is free and takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete, with the aim of improving providers’ understanding of what the programme involves and to prepare for the facilitator training.

Age UK Seated Exercise Training

An online training course for individuals who want to deliver chair-based exercise sessions for groups of older people who have compromised mobility. This training is ideal for care or activity assistants.

Guidance for setting up strength and balance exercise programmes

Guidance for setting  up strength and balance exercise programmes from The National Falls Prevention Co-ordination Group (NFPCG).

OTAGO Exercise Programme Leader – Later Life Training

A training course for health and exercise professionals in the delivery of the evidence-based Otago strength and balance exercise programme to reduce falls in frailer older people.

Swim England: Dementia Friendly Swimming Project

This Dementia Friendly Swimming Project was developed to enhance the swimming experience of those living with dementia and their carers by improving facilities and removing barriers.

Dementia-friendly sport and physical activity guide

A practical guide from Alzheimer’s Society for the sport and physical activity sector to become more dementia friendly. It provides tools and guidance so that the sector can help more people affected by dementia lead more active lives.

ESCAPE-pain facilitator training for knee, hip and back pain

The ESCAPE-pain facilitator training consists of a 1.5 day course, covering ESCAPE-pain for hips, knees and backs. The ESCAPE-pain programme is a 6 week (12 session) rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain, that integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise regimen individualised for each participant.  The flexibility of ESCAPE-pain means it can be delivered in a variety of locations and by a range of professionals. The programmes have been successfully delivered in outpatient physiotherapy departments, leisure centres and local community settings by physiotherapists, osteopaths and exercise professionals.

ESCAPE-pain e-learning

Each e-Learning session is free and takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete, with the aim of improving providers’ understanding of what the programme involves and to prepare for the facilitator training.
Journal Articles / Reports

World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: a global initiative

The World Guidelines for Falls aim to provide a framework and expert recommendations to healthcare and other professionals working with older adults on how to identify and assess the risk of falls. They recommend which interventions, alone or in combination, should be offered to older people as part of a person-centred approach to preventing and managing falls.

‘Fit for Frailty’

The British Geriatric Society along with Age UK and the Royal College of General Practitioners have produced the document ‘Fit for Frailty’ which gives an overview of Frailty and treatment strategies including physical activity.
Falls Prevention Guide for Care Home Staff

Guildford & Waverley Falls Prevention Guide for Care Home Staff

The aim of this Falls Prevention Guide is to raise awareness of falls, the consequences of falls and the recording off falls within the care home environment. It also outlines how a lack of physical exercise is a risk factor for falls and shares some exercise programmes that can help prevent falls.
Exercise Providers and Programmes

Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy

Providing table tennis equipment, therapy programs, and staff training to care settings specialising in dementia, hitting back at Alzheimer's with the power of ping pong.

Love to Move | British Gymnastics Foundation

This Love to Move Programme is an age and dementia friendly seated gymnastics programme.

ARE YOU ALSO SUPPORTING UNPAID CARERS?

Carers UK have created a series of short video workouts and bitesize functional exercises that feature real carers alongside instructors.  These video workouts cover a range of activities and are inclusive of all ages and fitness abilities.

carersuk

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Group f women complete exercises seated using a resistance band

Have you found this Resource Hub helpful? Let us know what you think and any ideas you have for future resources.

1. We are Undefeatable Autumn 2021 Burst January 2022 Source: DJS Research.

2. We are Undefeatable June 2021 Insight Pack. DJS Quantitative Tracking, April 2020 (n=1,350 people with health conditions), DJS qualitative research among digitally excluded.

3. NHS Digital, Health Survey for England 2018.

4. Everybody active, every day, An evidence-based approach to physical activity.

5. Sport England Active Lives, November 2019-2020.