Don’t hibernate – stay active this winter
Join our mission to get everyone up and moving every day.
People need time to rest and recover while they are in hospital, or when they are recovering at home following injury or illness.
But staying in bed or sitting still all day for longer than they need to will not help them to recover in the long run.
Independently-living frail patients who are admitted to hospital are less likely to recover their mobility and more likely to need to move to a nursing home after discharge.
Here are some facts about deconditioning in hospital:
- Just one week in hospital can lead to 10 per cent less muscle strength, 25 per cent reduced circulation and a decline in dignity, confidence and independence.
- For patients over 80, 10 days of bed rest can lead to 10 years of muscle ageing
- Deconditioning in hospital leads to delayed discharge in nearly half of older patients
- Half of frail older patients will have cognitive decline between admission and discharge
- Half of older people can become incontinent within 48 hours of admission.
We now have all the up-to-date evidence which tells us that people who get up, get dressed and get moving every day recover faster from injury and illness, regaining more of their independence. One hospital that introduced a programme in 2019 to get patients up and moving every day, saw a:
- 37 per cent reduction in falls
- 86 per cent reduction in pressure injuries
- 80 per cent reduction in patient complaints
- an average reduction of one and half days in length of stay.
What about people with a disability or long-term condition?
When someone is managing a health condition, being active is about finding what works for them. We are undefeatable is a great campaign showing people how every move enables more and has a range of activities and support for people to find what they enjoy doing.
Start gently and build up gradually with smaller goals to stay motivated.
Staying active in the community
A gentle walk can lift someone’s mood, give them an energy boost and make everyday activities easier. People with a respiratory condition should seek medical advice before venturing outdoors in cold weather.
One You Kent Walk and Talk sessions are short, local walks designed to help people get outdoors and meet new people and could suit someone in recovery as they are supported by trained volunteers.
Everyday Active Kent is great for anyone looking to be more active. You can explore the different types of activities on offer, use the activity finder or read some inspiring stories or top tips on the blog. You can also create an account to plan weekly activities and monitor progress.
One You Kent Lifestyle advisers can also support people to make the small changes that can make a big difference to their physical wellbeing. Complete the referral form or call 0300 123 1220 to speak to a friendly adviser.
For people who can’t get out and about, there are some useful home exercises on the Action for Elders website
If you are a health professional but you find it hard to talk to people about getting active, there’s some great advice here. Find the right consultation - Moving Medicine. Remember, you are a trusted voice.
Looking for resources? Health and social care professionals can download posters and digital resources.
