伊甸園電子報

Healthy In-home Activities for Elders During Quarantine

Ever since Taiwan’s COVID situation became severe, in order to reduce the risk of infections, staying at home has become common practice everywhere from central to local levels. However, the elderly population faces a different risk in being stuck at home – deterioration from an inactive mind & body.

Occupational therapist Wang Zhi Yuan provides four ways to maintain mental & physical health and prevent deterioration during these extraordinary times.

Editing｜朱聖恩　Illustration｜Dream Hugo 夢想雨果　

Review｜Occupational Therapist 王志元　Translation｜宋原

Preventing Deterioration Step 1: Whenever you can stand, don’t sit

In the safety of home, encourage elders to do standing activities such as moving around, changing clothes, cooking, household chores, etc. Staying active trains the strength and endurance of leg muscles, maintains cardiopulmonary health, regulates digestive functions, and builds self-confidence.

Preventing Deterioration Step 2: Don’t lie down if you can sit instead

The average person sleeps for 6~8 hours a day lying down. Many elders, both the healthy & disabled, go out to participate in physical rehab or outdoors activities. Even those in a wheelchair can sit up for 3~4 hours. Unsurprisingly, staying in bed all day will cause physical strength to deteriorate after two weeks.

Preventing Deterioration Step 3: Walk as much as possible

There are opportunities in everyday life. The elders can take every chance to walk including throwing out garbage, pouring tea, eating at the table, even going to the toilet, and more. Exercise naturally without stress with household activities.

Preventing Deterioration Step 4: Do as much as possible by yourself

In assisting elders with tasks they cannot perform alone, having them do as much as they can is healthy. Daily physical activities will strengthen their muscles and motor control abilities, as well as maintain cognitive abilities, which all contribute to better self-esteem, confidence, and hope in life. It creates the greatest potential for the maintenance and recovery of life functions, and reduces the workload on caregivers.

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資料來源：伊甸園電子報2021.06.11　NO. 412