The Citizen, 1997-04-30, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30,1997 PAGE 7.
Keep active, keep healthy
Inactivity, especially among older adults, poses a
significant health risk. This fact is particularly alarming for
two important reasons.
One, studies have shown that 36 per cent of those over the
age of 65 were inactive (The General Social Survey 1991).
Secondly, there are currently 2.7 million Canadians over the
age of 65, and in the next 45 years this number will triple
placing an even more enormous demand and cost on health
care services and resources.
The Benefits:
The benefits of physical activity for seniors are well
documented. A 1995 literature review by Dr. O'Brien
Cousins, University of Alberta found that physical activity:
• slows many forms of physical decline by up to 50 per
cent;
• provides early detection of the onset of disease;
• enhances various cognitive and neurological functions of
the brain, and increases the recovery time after suffering a
serious illness.
Other studies have also found that physical activity:
• lowers blood pressure;
• decreases the risk of coronary heart disease and
osteoporosis;
• improves one's mental well-being and prolongs an active,
functional, independent lifestyle.
Why are the majority of
seniors inactive?
For many it may be as simple as a lack of motivation or
know-how. The right information could get them started on
the road to a more physically active life. If they can be
motivated and provided with programs and services that
encourage them to include physical activity as part of their
daily routine, they will be able to live more independent lives
and Health Care costs can be significantly redhced. It's a
win-win situation.
What does it take to be
physically active?
Not a great deal really. Light recreational activities such as
walking or simply raking the leaves in the yard for 30
minutes a day seem to reduce the risk of heart disease. For
older, sedentary adults (those without regular physical
activity) fun activities such as gardening, square dancing, or
walking the dog does help promote improved health.
The Key:
Often the trick to maintaining routine physical activity is
to choose an activity that is fun to do. Here are some
suggested activities: golf, fishing, bowling, dancing, tennis,
gardening, lawn care, curling, window shopping and
walking. Or, you may wish to invest in new or used workout
equipment such as a stationary bike, a treadmill, or a cross
country ski machine. Whatever the choice, the key is to pick
some kind of activity and do it - regularly.
Seniors are advised to check with their healthcare provider
or physician before starting an exercise program.
Tips to reduce the risk of falling at home
As you grow older you can
continue to enjoy a happy,
productive life. But do learn to treat
your body with a little more care.
Your spirit may be willing to climb
mountains, but your body many
benefit more from a brisk stroll up
a gentle hill. Use common sense.
Eat foods that are good for you.
Exercise regularly and sensibly. Do
not smoke. And exercise caution
with a body that is a little more
"breakable" than it was when you
were younger.
Realize, for example, that a fall
can be very serious for an elderly
person. All too often, they suffer
fractures of a wrist, vertebra or hip
due to a fall. Of these, hip fractures
are the most dangerous. Surgery is
usually required to pin or replace
the hip joint. Recovery can be
painful and prolonged, sometimes
extending over weeks or months.
Unfortunately, accidental falls
are very common among the
elderly. Every year about one-
quarter of people over age 70 take a
fall. Half of those who sustain hip
fractures have never fallen before.
These people suffer partially
because of the aging process which
may cause loss of co-ordination,
weakness in the muscles that
control the knees and ankles, and
impaired vision and hearing.
Arthritis has also been found to be
a factor in many falls. But not all
accidents are caused by the aging
process - and many are
preventable.
Studies have shown that most
elderly people suffer falls during
regular daytime activities and that
most of these falls happen in the
living room and bedroom. Stairs are
also a treacherous area and
accidents occur most often when
descending, not climbing, the stairs.
Surprisingly, despite their
reputation, bathrooms are not the
prime site of falls.
Based on these studies, here's
what registered nurses recommend
that you or your family can do to
reduce the risk of falls in the home:
• Secure the edges of rugs, and
eliminate area rugs or make them
skid proof.
• Use skid-proof floor wax.
• Install handrails on both sides of
stairs and in the bathroom.
• Also in the bathroom, apply no
slip strips or use a rubber bath mat
in the bathtub.
• Make sure that the passageways
and stairs are well lit and free
from obstacles.
• Don't leave long phone cords
sprawled across floors. They can
be dangerous - especially when an
older person is rushing to answer
a phone call.
• Pay attention to shoes. Elderly
people should avoid floppy
slippers and shoes with sticky
crepe and rubber soles. These
have caused many accidents.
• Check medications. Many drugs
cause side effects such as
lightheadedness, dizziness,
weakness, reduced co-ordination,
forgetfulness and many other
symptoms. Anyone who is on
medication should check with
both their doctor and their
pharmacist to determine what
side-effects could be occurring
and - if they drink alcohol - what
effects it could be having alone or
in combination with their
medications.
After a fall, the victim and his or
her family should take care to
determine the principal cause of the
accident - especially after a first
fall. Too often registered nurses see
that the aftershock of a fall can be
one of its most serious
consequences. Elderly people may
become fearful and begin to restrict
their activities unnecessarily. This
need not be the case if the cause of
the fall can be isolated and steps
can be taken to prevent future
occurrences.
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the Blyth Iw
Queen St. N., Blyth (519)523-9381
ANNOUNCING...
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Queen St., Blyth 523-4210
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