Wednesday 11 October 2017

Let’s Talk About “Gettting Active and Staying Active” at home

Where did the time go…It’s October already, and 84 Days ‘til Christmas.

Since we started business in 1952, we’ve been committed to helping those wanting to live independently continue to do so, and remain in their community and in their homes for as long as they’re able.

We also look for ways to help those at home maintain the ability to get around- both in and outside of their home...comfortably and safely, encouraging the notion of getting active and staying active.

We look forward to, and invite, you to share your experiences with us and with others who visit our website and read this blog. Share your challenges, and how you’ve been able to find strategies which you find helpful, and may be helpful to others.

The theme for our October Home Health Care Flyer is “Get Active…Staying Active”. Often as the temperatures get cooler, people withdraw to their couches and the warm confines of their homes, and get ready for Winter.

If you have age-related limitations, or chronic disease such as Diabetes, Arthritis (back/joint pain), asthma, or even heart problems, getting active/staying active can have important health benefits. Regular exercise activity can help you manage symptoms and improve your health.  However, as with any chronic illnesses, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise routine. 

Light exercise can help improve heart health and endurance as well as help with weight loss; strength training can improve muscle tone, as well as endurance, making it easier to do daily activities.

Often slow disease-related declines in muscle strength go unnoticed until recovery becomes much more of a challenge. Improving muscle strength can also provide joint stability (such as knees, wrists, shoulders and elbows). Using something as simple as an Exercise Resistance Band, or Exercise Ball, can be of enormous help; they’re both economical and easy to use- no batteries required.

Flexibility exercises can help to improve range of motion in your joints, so they, and you, can function better, and stability exercises may help reduce the risk of falls. It’s a fact, that most falls happen at home, and often in areas where water is involved- the kitchen and the bathroom. Walsh’s carry a wide range of safety devices (Grab Bars, Toilet Safety Rails, Bath Stool, Anti-slip Mat) that can help avoid a spill. Even a Cane with a wide base or one incorporating a Reacher-Grabber can be beneficial in moving about while also providing safe exercise opportunities. We even carry a Shopping Cart w/Seat which can make your shopping experiences safe and comfortable- it even rolls easily over curbs and stairs.

So what exercise levels are safe for you? Depending on your condition, and to some degree, age, you might need to avoid certain exercises, and in some cases, consult your doctor, and/or therapist before undertaking any exercise program. Check with your Walsh’s Home Health Care specialists as well- they can also direct you accordingly.

If you have low back pain, for example, you might choose low-impact aerobic activities- something as simple or as easy as walking. Walking Poles might be of great help in providing stability as well as provide a low stress cardio workout. We even have aids to help measure your activity level. If you have arthritis, depending on the type, light exercise/stretching equipment, designed with you in mind, and might be appropriate. If you have mobility limitations, perhaps a Walker, or Rollator is in order.

Recommending exercise, even light exercise, assumes that you’re physically able to do so. Mobility issues, even limited mobility issues, generally are the most consistent concern of those living at home. Walsh’s recognizes this, and offers a wide range of assistive devices and price ranges to accommodate most everyone. You only have to visit any of our 3 locations (as well as our flyers/website) to see what’s available for patients, and to care-providers.

Remembering care-providers, or family members, Walsh’s also carries a device which helps to reassure family members/care-providers that a loved one has taken their medicines when they should. I think this is a particularly useful device which provides a degree of comfort. Ask one of our health care specialists about this particular device. Why not take the time during September, as we head into the Fall, visit one (or all) of our 3 locations, and see what’s available to make life more comfortably, safer and independently in their own homes. Ask one of our Health Care Specialists for assistance. We’re here for you…

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