Introduction and overview

The focus of this free course, Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role, will be on understanding the physical and mental health implications of the caring role and examining how physical activity can be used to promote health and wellbeing for carers. Please note that although there is a focus on data from the United Kingdom, the worldwide picture is not dissimilar and the advice and guidance can be applied regardless of where you live.

The course is made up of two sessions. In the first half of the course, you will consider the physical and psychological/emotional demands of the caring role and explore the potential implications that these demands can have on physical and mental health. To do this you will reflect on the role of a carer – using yourself, someone you know or a given example as a case study. You will consider the provision of care by unpaid family carers, who they are and what their role looks like. In the second half of the course, you will investigate why physical activity can benefit the carer and how, given the demands of the caring role, a carer can find opportunities to be active within their daily routine, both with their care recipient and/or as a respite break.

Both sessions will end with a quiz to check your understanding. By passing the quiz at the end of Session 2 you will also have the opportunity to earn a digital badge as evidence of your learning. You can read more on how to study the course and about badges in the next sections.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• understand the physical, psychological and emotional demands of the caring role, and the associated implications to physical and mental health
• describe the benefits of participation in regular physical activity on the health and wellbeing of carers
• identify a range of physical activity examples to improve, support and maintain individual health and wellbeing.