After the age of 65, our he alth may deteriorate. First, because of developing chronic diseases. Secondly, due to the declining ability of the body to regenerate with age. But this is where rehabilitation comes in.

The organism of an elderly person can no longer recreate its abilities, functions that it has lost as a result of, for example, an injury. The older we are, the worse the body's repair processes are. Thereforesenior rehabilitationshould be based primarily on the prevention of injuries and the resulting disabilities.

Senior's fitness on the

scale

Two scales are used to assess the fitness of the condition of older people. The first is a scale of basic activities, such as self-dressing, moving around, eating a meal, using the toilet or checking the sphincters. The second is a complex scale of everyday activities, such as paying bills, using the telephone, shopping, preparing a meal, handling money. Another form of assessing performance in geriatrics is describing a condition known as fragility syndrome. It is a state of transition, transformation of a given person from a capable and independent person into a disabled person requiring care. Brittleness syndrome is characterized by unplanned weight loss, which is very often associated with malnutrition, constant fatigue, unjustified weakness (assessed by a handshake), slow pace of movement and little physical activity, i.e. doing only the necessary activities, e.g. you have to go to the bathroom. If we observe three of the five conditions mentioned in a senior, we can talk about the brittleness syndrome.

Seniors in the group better

Loneliness, lack of interest on the part of loved ones is often the reason why older people isolate themselves from the environment. If depression is accompanied by symptoms resulting from degenerative changes in the joints, cardiovascular diseases or other physical ailments, many seniors quickly withdraw from active life and become disabled people.

Therefore, in order to break the unfavorable sequence of events, doctors refer seniors to group rehabilitation. In addition to gentle physical exercises, there are workshops that develop interests, learn proper nutrition, and jointlyreading, singing - activities that allow you to identify with the group and get out of the already mentioned fragility syndrome. But you should always bear in mind that the cause of a senior's malaise or isolation from the environment may be, for example, untreated diseases or interactions between drugs prescribed by different doctors.

Daily amount of exercise

Older people who want to stay fit for as long as possible should exercise at least twice a week for 20 minutes. Training should consist of exercises that improve muscle strength. All you need is a chair and two half-liter bottles filled with water. We sit down on a chair and, holding the bottles in our hands, raise our arms up. Then we improve the joints of the hands, shoulders and the entire spine. Stretching exercises are equally important. Even simple stretching, stretching the muscles of your arms or legs will bring good results.

Fall protection

Strengthening the muscles, choosing the right cane or crutch, but also comfortable shoes or home slippers is primarily to prevent falls. Medical statistics show that 30% of people over the age of 65 fall twice a year, resulting in fractures of the limbs and the neck of the femur. There are many reasons for the falls. From weakened muscle strength, dizziness, visual disturbances, through an extended reaction time to a threat, taken medications, to a cluttered apartment or insufficient room lighting. The first fall is often only minor injuries or bruises, but it can end in a PTSD, i.e. fear of another fall. The patient stands up or moves when necessary, which, paradoxically, increases the risk of falls due to limited physical activity.

Home rehabilitation

Falls after the age of 65 are the seventh cause of death. That is why it is worth using the rehabilitation that the doctor can provide at the patient's home. According to the regulations of the National He alth Fund, such rehabilitation may take place throughout the year, twice a week. On the remaining days, the patient should exercise alone or with the help of the caregiver. But the condition for ensuring the safety of a senior at home is removing unnecessary rugs from the floor or placing them on non-slip mats. It is necessary to equip the bathroom with handles that make it easier to get up from the toilet. It is also best to replace the bathtub with a low paddling pool, which is easier to enter, and place a non-slip mat and a chair (on rubber legs or screwed to the wall) so that the senior can sit during the bath.

Important

Who issues the referral

Rehabilitation at home includes medical advice and treatmentsphysiotherapy for various groups of patients, which is regulated by the regulation of the Minister of He alth of November 6, 2013 (Journal of Laws of December 12, 2013). A referral can be issued by a he alth insurance doctor - a specialist in the field of: medical rehabilitation, balneology and physical medicine, rheumatology, neurology, orthopedics and traumatology, and a family doctor.

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