You want your loved one to stay healthy, active, and safe as they age, and exercise is a contributing factor. Assisted living residents should stay active with help from the staff, but each facility is different. Some offer regular classes and one-on-one help. Others offer very little. When you understand what the law requires and what good care looks like, you can make better decisions for your loved one. If you ever have concerns about the care your loved one is receiving, our Peoria County, IL nursing home neglect lawyers can explain your options and guide you.
Why Is Exercise Important for Assisted Living Residents?
Exercise is important at every age. It becomes even more important for older adults. As the body ages, muscles get weaker and joints become stiffer. Regular movement slows these changes and helps residents stay more independent. A resident who can walk, stand, or move with less help often feels safer and more confident.
Exercise also helps the heart and lungs work better, allowing blood and oxygen to move through all systems. It improves balance, which lowers the chance of a fall that can be very harmful for an older adult. Movement can also prevent pressure sores. These are wounds that form when someone sits or lies in the same position for too long.
Are Assisted Living Homes Required to Provide Exercise Programs?
Assisted living homes do not follow the same strict rules as nursing homes. Nursing homes are more medical in nature, and they must meet higher care standards. Still, Illinois assisted living facilities owe residents basic support. Under the Illinois Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, these homes must help residents stay as independent as possible. They are not required to offer formal exercise programs, but they must support the resident’s ability to move safely and maintain independence as outlined in the service plan.
Each resident must have a written service plan. This is a document that explains the resident’s needs. It also explains how staff will meet these needs. If a resident needs help walking, standing, or taking part in simple activities, the plan should say so, and staff should follow that plan every day.
Some facilities offer group exercise classes. Others may offer walking programs or one-on-one support. The law does not require every facility to offer the same kind of program. What matters is whether the facility helps residents move safely and frequently. If a facility knows that a resident’s health will decline without movement but ignores that need, the facility may not be meeting state care standards.
What Types of Exercise Should Assisted Living Homes Offer?
Assisted living homes should offer activities that meet the needs of older adults. These activities should be gentle and safe. They should focus on strength, balance, and mobility. They should also be adjusted to each person’s abilities. This helps prevent injuries and gives residents a chance to enjoy the activity. Some common exercises that work well for many older adults include:
- Walking sessions that let residents move at a slow and comfortable pace
- Chair exercises for residents with limited mobility
- Light stretching that improves joint movement and reduces stiffness
- Strength exercises with resistance bands to help maintain muscle tone
- Balance activities that reduce fall risks
Staff must check exercise rooms for safety. The floor should be dry. Chairs should be steady. Staff should know how to help residents who need physical support. If a resident needs extra help, staff should be ready to assist them.
How Do You Know if a Facility Is Not Supporting Your Loved One’s Physical Health?
Families often notice small warning signs before they understand the bigger issue. Some things to look out for include:
- Sudden changes in mobility, such as trouble walking or standing
- Pressure sores or skin problems, which often occur when movement is limited
- Activity calendars with no exercise options or very few scheduled events
- Staff saying they are too busy to help with walking or transfers
- Noticeable weight loss or muscle weakness that seems to happen over a short period of time
- Increased use of wheelchairs or walkers without a clear medical reason
- Reports from your loved one that they feel bored, isolated, or left alone most of the day
You can speak with staff members to learn more. Ask how often residents move each day. Ask whether your loved one joins any exercise sessions. Ask if there were any changes to the service plan. If staff do not know the answers or seem unsure, this may mean your loved one is not receiving consistent care. You can also review the service plan. If it says your loved one needs help moving, but you do not see any support, that is a concern.
What Should You Do if an Assisted Living Home Does Not Provide Exercise Support?
If you believe that a facility is not supporting your loved one’s health, you can take action. Start with a simple conversation with the administrator. Calmly explain your concerns and share specific examples of what you have noticed. Ask how the staff plans to improve activity levels or provide more movement support. Many issues can be fixed after a clear discussion if everyone communicates openly.
If nothing improves, write down your concerns. Written communication creates a record and shows that you are paying close attention. It also demonstrates that you expect accountability. You can request a meeting to update the service plan and review progress. You can also write down what you see during visits, including any changes in your loved one’s condition.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Peoria, IL Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
When assisted living facilities do not support healthy movement, residents can decline quickly. You deserve answers when this happens, and we can help. The Peoria County, IL nursing home neglect lawyers at Nursing Home Injury Center will review what happened and explain your rights.
We are proud to serve clients as a small division within a larger firm. This allows us to offer very personal attention while still benefiting from the resources, support staff, and tools that only a large law firm can provide. If your loved one is not receiving proper care, call 309-524-6900 today for a free consultation.
