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Exercise, not rest, for elderly, say the doctors

09/11/2017

Exercise and physical activity should be a part of the daily routine for older people, instead of resting. In a recent report in the British Medical Journal, the statement was released saying that there is a need to change the present way of thinking about exercise. No longer should exercise be considered only for younger people.

Doctors said that it is vital that older people start to take responsibility for their own health. By doing this, they will reduce the need for social care.

The leading author of the report, Scarlett McNally, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, stated that exercising and keeping fit can reduce and even prevent the need for social care. The risk of dementia, disability and disease can be greatly reduced if an older person is fit.

Both national and local organisations should become more involved in helping individuals to understand how to become more active in their daily lives. Activity needs to be built into daily routines, with friends and family helping to make this possible. The improvements are quickly seen when elderly people become more active.

The report in the BMJ states that disability, frailty, and dementia should not be assumed to be a part of the aging process. Regular exercise can in fact lead to a person being more than a decade younger in fitness levels.

Because exercise is far cheaper than prescriptions, the NHS should look into prescribing exercise as an alternative to medication.

Social care costs are increased five-fold when elderly people unable to get to the toilet on time by themselves, because of lack of mobility. Lack of any significant exercise then becomes a very real problem with almost 80% of time being spent in bed.

Chief Executive for the Centre for Ageing Better, Anna Dixon, says that the action of physical activity not only maintains and improves muscle strength, but also plays an important part in balance, which means that the risk of falling is reduced, and there are less hip fractures. This single area could save the NHS over $1 billion per year.

Ms Dixon went on to say that 4 million hospital beds are taken up every year by elderly people who have fallen. Not only will this be reduced, but people will be able to live independently for longer when they are physically fit. It is therefore important that health professionals both encourage and support elderly people in keeping fit.

To make this goal possible, there needs to be a change in the environment, and the expectations that getting old means poor health. More outdoor space needs to be made for facilities for safe exercise. 

The repost suggests that parks should have smoother paths to walk along, and cycle lanes where older people can ride bikes.

One of the authors of the report, Sir Muir Gray, stated that no matter what the age of the person, it is possible to reduce the gap between the possible level of activity, and the actual level of activity. 

Not only will the higher level of activity help to restore the elderly person to a level of ten years previously enjoyed, but it will also mean the difference between living independently or living in residential care.