Exercise for People Living in a Group Home
In group homes, people who need assistance related to a disability or health condition live together in a supported environment.
Group homes provide support for residents to live independently, catering to their specific needs and services. This arrangement is known as supported independent living.
In Australia, around 17,000 people with a disability live in a group home. Group homes usually accommodate somewhere between two and six residents.
WHY IS EXERCISE IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN A GROUP HOME?
We know getting enough physical activity is vital for anyone to have the best possible health and well-being. But making sure group home residents get enough movement and exercise is especially important.
Why is this the case? Not all, but many people in group homes live there because they have an intellectual disability. This can make it difficult for them to understand the importance of exercise, and to make choices that best support their health and wellbeing.
Research shows people living with an intellectual disability tend to have very low levels of physical activity. One recent paper analyzed results from 25 studies looking into sedentary behaviors (time spent sitting or lying down, not including sleep) in people with an intellectual disability. They found that more than 60% of the daily time was spent on sedentary behaviors, including over three hours of screen time.
Another recent analysis found high rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and multimorbidity (having several health conditions) in adults with an intellectual disability, along with high levels of sedentary behavior.
Also, people living in group homes may have a mental health condition and/or be on medications that lead to weight gain. This can make them more likely to experience problems associated with overweight and obesity – such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercise is very important for heart and metabolic health and can also help people to manage their weight.
WHAT TYPE OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
Active support
Getting more physically active doesn’t have to involve structured pursuits like walking, cycling, running, or swimming. It could involve supporting people to be more active in everyday tasks. Check the group home’s calendar for opportunities to incorporate additional movement and activity.
For example, a resident could be supported to:
- engage in active household chores, such as sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming
- walk to the shops or library rather than driving
- get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
Exercise therapy
Structured exercise might also play a part in helping residents have better health. Ideally, people living in a group home should be support to meet the Australian physical activity guidelines, which recommend adults aged 18 to 64:
- get 2.5 to 5 hours of moderately intense physical activity (like a fast walk or swimming) per week, or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous activity (like jogging or fast cycling), or a combination of these
- do activities that build muscle strength at least two days per week
- spend less time sitting.
An accredited exercise physiologist (AEP) can design programs to help residents work towards this goal.
GUIDANCE FROM AN ACCREDITED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST
People living in group homes can be face with a range of issues that affect their ability to be active. People with an intellectual disability or mental health condition, for example, may need support to exercise safely and effectively. Physical health conditions or behaviours of concern could also affect exercise program design.
AEPs are university-qualify health professionals with the expertise to design exercise programs for people with disabilities and medical conditions. They create safe, effective exercise programs, tailored to each person’s needs, goals, and preferences.
AEPs provide exercise interventions in various settings for people living in group homes. Support workers can enhance their ability to assist residents with exercise in the absence of an AEP. Support workers’ encouragement of exercise programs implemented by AEP ensures residents engage in effective physical activity consistently.
Inquire about the group home’s support worker team’s capacity to facilitate increased physical activity for your loved one. You can also ask for support workers to be instruct by the AEP who has evaluate the exercise needs of your loved one if require. If your loved one has NDIS funding, they may be able to use it to access assessment and exercise therapy with an AEP.
When seeking an AEP, ensure their experience includes intellectual disability, group home dynamics, and positive behavior support.
Click here to find an exercise physiologist near you.
Written by Amanda Semaan and Kara Foscholo. Amanda and Kara are Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Co-Directors of Active Ability, whose mission is to support people with disability to achieve the best possible independence, health, and quality of life.
