Question

Betty, a 82-year-old woman with no signs of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease would like to start an exercise program because she does not have the energy to take care of her home. Her children think she should move into an assisted living center, but Betty wants to be able to stay home and take care of herself. Although she has not been active in recent years, she used to walk 1 mile a day until she developed arthritis in her knee at age 50 y.

Describe the exercise program you would recommend for Betty.

• How would you start?
• Suggested exercises?
• Benefits of exercise?
• What precautions would you need to consider? What would you do about them?
• What barriers for exercise to you see? How might you overcome them?

Answer 1

1) She should start with stretching exercises for 3-5 minutes,Walking for short mile, Cycling and swimming that can increase flexibility, range of motion, strength and aerobic conditioning.

2) Suggested exercises for arthritis of knee are Leg lifts, Sit and Stand, Quadriceps Stretch, Leg cross exercises.

3)Benefits of exercises:-

- It can reduce pain.

--It decreases stiffness and increase flexibility and improve motion.

4) Precaution she should consider are as follows :-

-Avoid injury by finding safe place for exercises and walking.

- She should control weight by avoiding processed foods such as baked goods and prepackaged meals and snacks.

- Consult doctor time to time.

5)Berrier for exercises are :- Joint pain,Concerns for personal safely ,Bad weather, Fatigue, Lack of time.

Joint pain can be overcome by taking Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or use hot pack or pain relieving cream before exercises.

For personal safely ,find a safe place to walk and exercises.

Do exercises in gym with indoor traces and all other facilities.

You have to keep some time from your daily routine for doing exercises because health is more important .

Fatigue feeling can be reduced by taking few minutes rest while during exercises .