An active and healthy lifestyle is something very important for everyone and especially for the elderly bedridden. There are a lot of things one should take care of - hygiene, regular movements, and exercise are a few of the very important things for them in order to build strength and avoid skin-related problems! It is essential to make them involved in any physical activities which can help them to keep their body in motion.
Exercise includes anything that helps one to maintain your physical fitness and health. May it be walking, climbing stairs, picking objects around, or maybe doing dishes! Even these simple day to day chores can help you keep your body in motion, but that is not the case for bedridden patients. They need extra care and attention in order to keep their bodies in motion. They cannot do what they used to do daily because of various reasons like illness, & inability to move.
Hence muscle inactivity for a long time can cause a lot of complications it can hinder the body's functioning and the flow of blood. There are a lot of problems that may occur such as bedsores if the movement of the body is restricted in any way.
There are a few simple exercises that can help to keep the patient's muscles healthy and active, especially when they are bedridden and their movement is constrained. As the quote says Active body, Active mind. Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, help your elders and loved ones by making them follow the exercise mentioned below on a regular basis so as to avoid further complications.
Exercise for Neck and Head:
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Head turns:
You can help your loved ones with this exercise while making them lie down or making them sit in a comfortable position. They can turn their head slowly from one end to the other for 3-4 rounds.
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Head rotation:
Head turns and head rotations are good ways to increase mobility around the neck. You can tilt their head on one side and help them rotate it at a 360-degree angle both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Exercise for Upper Half:
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Palm stretches:
Palm stretches are a great way to increase motion in the hands. As a caregiver, you can help them open their palm and extend their fingers and make them touch their thumb to all 5 fingers. Repeat it with both hands for 1-2 rounds.
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Shoulder rotation:
Shoulder rotation is a very good exercise for bedridden patients. They can rotate their shoulders front and back and even clockwise.
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Arm rotation:
Now, this exercise can be a little difficult, not all elders will be able to do this by themselves and will need your little help. Make them raise their arms as high as they can, one by one at least 5-6 times. Then, help them raise their arm in front followed by one hand after another, if they are comfortable they can even do it with both their arms.
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Wrist rotation:
Wrist rotation is another simple exercise that they can even do while resting or sitting. Make them stretch their hands in front and rotate their wrists both clockwise and anticlockwise.
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Finger Bends: - Finger Bends are simple as well! Extend their fingers and thumb apart and then touch them with each other. Repeat this for at least 2-3 rounds.
Exercise for the Lower half of body:
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Leg rotation:
This can be done while lying down. The caretaker will have to help them with this exercise. Make them raise one leg and rotate it to both extreme left and right. Repeat this for both legs.
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Leg movements:
Make them move their legs in an up-down position for at least 2-3 rounds for both legs.
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The toe bends and ankle bends:
Make them stretch their toe outwards and then inwards, if it seems difficult for them, even the caretaker can help them with this. Similarly, bend the ankles of both legs one after another from outwards to towards.
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Ankle rotation:
Do this exercise by either sitting or lying down. They can bend their foot so that the toes point towards the ceiling and then bend it backward. Repeat this for a few rounds.
During the entire exercise process, if at any phase the elder feels any kind of pain or discomfort it is suggested to avoid that particular exercise and consult a doctor for the same. Caretakers need to make sure that the elder's body stays in motion with regular exercises every day for at least 20-25 minutes. In case of lack of care for their physical health, they can even develop bedsores. Preventing Bedsores can be done with regular exercises and with regular application of Soreze Gel which protects the skin from developing Bedsores with its Silicone barrier gel technology and advanced formulation. Along with all these measures, also make sure to help them change their position after every 2 hours.
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