Specific environmental conditions in long-term care facilities for very old chronically ill and multi-morbid residents raise issues regarding health promotion in nursing and the care of this highly vulnerable target group. Too much prioritisation of medical and nursing care, combined with (personnel-related) structural deficits, may be an obstacle to consistent resource-oriented thinking and behaviour in these settings. This may be additionally compounded by a lack of appropriate strategies to support sustained integration of health-promoting activities into the facilities' daily routines.This article advocates for a holistic approach that looks beyond care provision and integrates a health promotion perspective. It encourages reflection on and modification of socio-spatial conditions in care settings so that residents are empowered to take more responsibility for their own health related behaviour. Encouraging residents to participate and providing guidance, support and motivation are key tasks for nursing staff in this context. The aim is to develop and stimulate the residents' own strengths and resources related to their health.Against this background, the "activating care" concept should be elaborated with much greater emphasis on health promotion in order to maximise the potential of a theory that sees skills and resource development as an integral aspect of care.
Keywords: Activating care; Health literacy; Health promotion; Nursing home; Participation.