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Many of you know that my daughter, Sarah, is a physical therapist in Minnesota. The other day, we were talking about the challenge of helping nursing home residents remain physically active during social distancing.
Because of the pandemic, nursing homes have canceled group activities, including exercise classes. Residents no longer walk to and from the dining room. Outings that may have provided physical activity have also been canceled.
These changes set our residents up for declines in mobility, strength, and endurance. And, the sad part is that once these abilities decline, it’s difficult to get them back.
That’s why I hope you’ll always be on the look-out for ways to incorporate physical activity into your residents’ daily routines. Today I’ll share nine ideas. Please add your suggestions in the comment section!
1. Encourage families to exercise with their loved one during online visits (FaceTime, Skype, etc.). I find this is even more effective if children join in.
2. Use your one-to-one activity time to exercise with residents. Options include playing catch with a beach ball, kicking a hover disc, or tossing a balloon around using fly swatters.
3. If a resident enjoys watching TV in their room or apartment, encourage them to exercise during every commercial. They might get up and walk in place, do a few simple stretches, or lift light weights.
4. Depending on the rules in your nursing home, they may still allow small outdoor group activities. Consider offering lawn games that involve physical activity.
5. Invite residents to attend an exercise class from their doorways. Popular choices include chair yoga, tai chi, balance exercises, or dance steps.
6. Help residents access appropriate online exercise classes in their rooms. Depending on their interests and abilities, these may be of interest:
7. Look for ways residents can help you with tasks in their rooms that involve movement. Even simple things like watering plants, helping make a bed, or sorting items in a closet will promote mobility.
8. Is there an area in your nursing home where residents can walk while maintaining social distancing? (Perhaps a large room or a courtyard.) Provide pedometers and encourage residents to set daily or weekly walking goals.
9. Invite a group of energetic students to come and lead an exercise class from the nursing home lawn or sidewalk. Residents can participate from their windows or balconies.
Do you need tips on how to motivate your residents to exercise? Then you’ll want to check out this post.
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