Seniors Workshop, 2011
Five key issues that are important to
consider when taking activities for seniors
Introduction
1. Supine lying
2. Joint replacements
3. β blockers
4. Osteoporosis
5. What’s the big deal about exercising…and the
prevention of falls?
Supine lying
• Increased thoracic kyphosis with age
• Difficult to lie supine without extended neck
• May compromise blood flow to brain
– which can cause…?
• May also affect inner ear
Supine lying
• So, what’s the solution?
Joint replacements
• Should elderly exercise following joint
replacements?
• How soon after surgery?
• What are their limitations?
β blockers
• How do you measure intensity of exercise in
elderly?
• What are β blockers?
• So, what’s the answer…
β blockers
Osteoporosis
• Often considered a ‘normal’
part of aging
• Characterised by?
• Risk factors?
Osteoporosis
• The following factors may all be expected to
contribute to the rapid onset and progression of
osteoporosis:
– Low peak bone mass
– Calcium or vitamin D deficiency
– Sedentary lifestyle (lack of
weight bearing exercise)
– Advanced age
Physical activity for bone health
• Weight-bearing exercise is associated with stronger
skeleton
Osteoporosis prevention:
• prevention is essential (there is treatment, but no cure)
• however, osteoporosis is multifactorial and has a genetic
component – so for some it may be inevitable
Physical activity for bone health
Weight-bearing exercise:
• Walking, jogging, stair climbing, weight-training, tennis,
bowling, football, dancing etc
– depends on individual’s goals, overall health status, degree of
bone loss, and enjoyment
– ensure optimal posture and note precautions (see later slide)
Physical activity for bone health
Physical activity for bone health
• Teach your client how to move well – good body
mechanics and avoid the following:
• Precautions:
–
–
–
–
Forward bending
Heavy lifting
Twisting
High-impact activities
What’s the big deal about exercising…and
the prevention of falls
Because it works:
• Increase strength – what muscles?
• Increase balance – how?
From: 2010 AGS/BGS Clinical Practice Guideline:
Prevention of Falls in Older Persons - Summary of Recommendations
The components most commonly included in efficacious
interventions were:
a) Adaptation or modification of home environment [A]
b) Withdrawal or minimization of psychoactive medications [B]
c) Withdrawal or minimization of other medications [C]
d) Management of postural hypotension [C]
e) Management of foot problems and footwear [C]
f) Exercise, particularly balance, strength, and gait training [A]
How active are older people?
Functional decline and frailty
(Spirduso, 1995)
Time
Human
frailty
Disease
Disuse
Increased
mobility
Increased
leg strength
Decreased
falls
Live longer
Falls prevention
The key is to maintain good strength and balance
http://www.acc.co.nz/preventing-injuries/at-home/older-people/informationfor-programme-providers/index.htm#P14_727
• Go to the above link – at the bottom of the page you will see
“Available OEP resources”
- ACC1162 Otago Exercise Programme manual (PDF 2.9M)
- ACC1161 Otago Exercise Programme activity booklet (PDF 713K)