- Aging in Place
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care at Home
- Bathroom, Eating & Drinking Aids
- Emergencies
- Hiring Homecare
- Hiring Home Health Care
- Home Modification
- Home Safety & Fall Prevention
- Hospital Discharge
- Housework, Dressing & Eating Tips
- Injection How-to’s
- Pain Management
- Positioning & Exercises for the Bedridden
- Senior Driving Issues
Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 1 of 2
If you have been inactive for a long period of time, your muscles will begin to atrophy; that is, they will shrink in size and strength. Having an arm or leg in a cast demonstrates this process well. The longer you lie in bed or sit in a chair, the longer it will take you to regain your normal muscle strength and return to more active living. But you can start an exercise program that will build your muscle tone...Read the rest of this article »
Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 2 of 2
Breathing One of the key elements of any exercise program is to learn proper breathing techniques. Breathing, by itself, is a good exercise because it is both therapeutic and relaxing. The most important thing to remember is not to hold your breath while exercising. This puts an added strain on the heart, and could even cause you to faint. Breathe in or blow out in rhythm with every exercise activity. Here is an outline of an appropriate graduated exercise program:...Read the rest of this article »
Bed Positioning: Part 1 of 2
It is important to pay attention to the position you lie in, and when you are confined to bed, you may need help in positioning. During sleep, we unconsciously change position many times a night. This keeps muscles moving and stops cramping, stimulates blood circulation and prevents skin breakdown. In our skin care section, we talk about bedsores and how they are caused by excessive or prolonged pressure on bony areas of the body. Circulation to that area gets cut...Read the rest of this article »
Bed Positioning: Part 2 of 2
Repositioning Frequent change of position is the second means of preventing bedsores and muscle wasting. If you are unable to turn over by yourself, it is important that your family helper understands the need and techniques for frequent repositioning—at least every two hours is a good rule of thumb. Having a pull or draw sheet placed under you will greatly help another person turn you over. He or she folds a large sheet in half twice, forming a band slightly...Read the rest of this article »
Skin Care Treatments and Solutions
Bedsore Causes, Prevention and Treatments If you have to lie immobile for long periods of time, you should pay special attention to the health of your skin, to prevent skin breakdown. Proper skin care helps to prevent pressure sores (bedsores) and will help you feel generally refreshed. Weight loss and the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy can lower your resistance to infections; and since infections can be very difficult to treat, the best thing is to prevent them. Skin...Read the rest of this article »
