Top Three Functional Deficits in the Homemuscle endurance and...
Low Muscle Endurance -In the home care setting, low muscle endurance can be serious. Your walking device may be no problem whatsoever to your entering your bathroom, bedroom or any other room in your home. But the legs that get you there must do just that! Get you there...safely.So, what if your endurance, strength, or balance is just so poor that getting where you want to go seems reserved for your past breakfast of champion days? It's true. Getting around may be restricted by your inability to walk that far. This is a very real scenario for the majority of my patients. The good news? Endurance can be improved! It just takes time and
hard work
Walking every hour or so is nothing new but it is changing inactivity to activity which is where you may need to start.If you can, do it outside in the
sunshine
and
fresh air.
I tell my patients, walking keeps you walking. Make sure someone is with you if you need assistance. So, start with every hour or so. Even 5 feet 8 times in one day (once and hour of wake time) equals 40 feet and that may be more than you would have walked! Give yourself a challenge and keep track of the distance you walk every day. Total it up at the end of the day and try to out do yourself the next day. It will add up and before you know it... the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen will be a short hop, skip and jump away! This will also likely limit your need for additional durable medical equipment.
Schwarzenegger Muscles? - Poor StrengthWell, not likely but enough strength to do things you never thought you would!Again, the best frequency plan is every hour or so and the best thing you can do for improved lower body strength is to sit down and stand up... and do it over and over again... 5,8 10 times? You say you are up and down all day? Not in a row I bet! It doesn't count towards this homework that you get up and go to the bathroom every hour. That is only one squat. To demand strength improvement from your legs, you must challenge them beyond what they are used to. This is why repetitions are important. Start from a surface high enough that you can actually sit and stand from... even a bar stool is fine! As you get stronger, lower that surface. This could limit your need for costly and excessive bathroom or other safety equipment. You will be amazed at how quickly the body will respond to the level you need to start. Start safely with a
Free Fitness Analysis.
This will give you a lengthy report that will pinpoint exactly where you need to start and what you need to do. But this needs to be closely monitored and designed specifically for the needs of your elderly loved one. For a personal consult via email or phone, click here (coming soon)
W-e-e-eble W-o-o-obble - Poor BalanceMaybe it's your balance that's off track... this is enough alone to become one with your chair or couch.The fear of falling comes in only second to difficulty breathing when it comes to reasons why people don't walk. And, my number one rule for everyone is - No Falling Allowed! So, how to remedy this? It's not as independently simple as improving your balance but improvements can be made. Balance can be improved in a number of ways and this is best achieved by asking your physical therapist what they recommend. If you don't have a physical therapist, click here to find a top rated agency in your area who can work with your doctor to order physical therapy for you. Or you can contact me for a personal consultation via email or over the phone. Either way, improvements in balance can decrease the need for additional home safety equipment. However, it is my opinion that every bathroom should have a grab bar or two and no slip tub mats or stickers - safety equipment that can prevent costly and life changing falls.
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