Canadian seasons, caregivers & community
Movement in Long-Term Care: Gentle Seated Routines for Residents (With Staff Approval)
6-minute read · Published July 24, 2026 · Updated July 24, 2026
Why staff approval comes first
Many residents have more than one health condition. They may take several medications, have a fracture history, use a walker or wheelchair, or have recently come out of hospital. Any routine has to fit each person.
That is why the care team sets the rules. A physiotherapist, nurse or doctor can check the plan, flag anything unsafe, and say what each resident can and cannot do. A family member can help, but the care team should have the final say.
Why movement still matters
Older adults who keep moving tend to keep more of their strength, mobility and independence. Resistance training supports muscle strength and function, and it can be adapted for people with chronic conditions [R06]. Barriers and fears should be addressed, including the fear of making pain worse.
In community-dwelling adults 60 and over, shoulder strength, mobility and posture are each linked to shoulder pain and disability, which makes them possible targets [R28]. The link is an association, and it does not mean that one exercise will fix one resident's shoulder.
What the research says
- Resistance training supports strength, function and independence in older adults. Position statements from strength and conditioning bodies recommend it for older people, with attention to barriers [R06].
- For shoulder-related pain, resisted exercise that progresses over time probably helps. Gentle movement alone probably does not move pain much [R01].
- The WHO advises adults 65 and over to do balance and strength work on at least three days a week, and it says every move counts [R07].
- The evidence on posture and shoulder pain in older adults is limited and indirect [R28].
What you can do
- Get approval first. Ask the care team to review the routine, the resident's health history and any current orders.
- Start seated and short. Use a sturdy chair with armrests and feet flat on the floor. Begin with 3 to 5 minutes, once or twice a day.
- Roll the shoulders (seated). Lift both shoulders up, back and down, 8 times, slowly.
- Reach forward and back (seated). Let the arms reach gently in front, then return. Keep within a comfortable range.
- Use a light band or a light object (seated). Once the team agrees, add light resistance for a few reps, and increase only when the movement feels controlled.
- Check in every day. Ask the resident how the shoulder feels, and write down any change for the care team.
Where ShoulderBack Pro fits, and where it doesn't
Once the care team has approved it, ShoulderBack Pro can be one seated option. SeeSaw (one arm gently guiding the other) suits a first session, and Bear Hugs Me (drawing the trainer toward the chest) adds a little work for the upper back. The resistance comes from the other arm, so the resident sets the effort, and progress means resisting a bit harder or doing a few more reps. It's a wellness tool with no clinical trials behind it, so it is not a treatment for any condition. Staff can follow the printable fridge card, and homes weighing equipment can see the trainer.
When to see a professional
See a doctor or physiotherapist promptly if you have: pain after a fall or injury with sudden weakness or loss of movement; a shoulder that looks deformed, very swollen or bruised; fever or feeling unwell alongside the pain; chest pain or breathlessness (call emergency services); constant pain that doesn't change with rest or activity; pain that wakes you most nights; numbness, tingling or weakness into the arm or hand; pain in several joints at once; or pain that hasn't improved after a couple of weeks of sensible self-care [R30].
A resident who has had a recent fall, fracture or surgery should not start a new routine until a clinician has checked it. Only a doctor, physiotherapist or other licensed clinician can diagnose a shoulder condition.
Try this movement
Printable fridge card →Frequently asked questions
Can a resident do these routines without staff?
Not without approval. The care team should check the routine against each resident's health, medication and any orders before anyone starts.
What if a resident says a movement hurts?
Stop the movement, make the person comfortable, and report it to the care team. Sharp pain, new weakness or numbness needs a clinician's assessment.
How much movement is enough?
The WHO advises older adults to do balance and strength work on at least three days a week. Short daily seated sessions are a practical start for many residents [R07].
Does movement replace medical care?
No. Movement supports care, but it does not replace a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a clinician's advice.
Sources
- Naunton J et al. (2020). Effectiveness of progressive and resisted and non-progressive or non-resisted exercise in rotator cuff related shoulder pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Clinical Rehabilitation. https://search.pedro.org.au/search-results/record-detail/61404
- Fragala MS, Cadore EL, Dorgo S et al. (2019). Resistance Training for Older Adults: Position Statement From the National Strength and Conditioning Association. J Strength Cond Res. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31343601/
- WHO (2020). Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/11/26/new-global-guidelines-on-physical-activity-and-sedentary-behavio.html
- PMC narrative review (2026). Body composition, strength, mobility and posture associated with shoulder pain and disability in community-dwelling older adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13513864/
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Shoulder red flags; NHS MPFT, Self-help: shoulder pain; BESS/BOA shoulder pathway summary (2021). https://www.nhsggc.scot/page_category/services/page/33
