Combat Aging Parent Deconditioning

April 26, 2022 Jessica Kluetz

Move. And keep moving.

As the season turns to spring it is more enjoyable to get out and exercise when the sun is shining and the weather is pleasant. There are many people who have hibernated inside for much of the dreary winter, just waiting for the first warm day to get outside and get their legs moving.

What about those folks who have not been doing a lot of activity over the past several months? What can we do to help get those moving who have not been as active recently? What about those who have just been more sedentary recently for one reason or another?

Our bodies are very good at adapting to whatever situation they are put in. Rest assured that a body that is not put through very much activity or movement is going to quickly adapt. One of the most notable adaptations is the loss of muscle mass and muscle strength. As much as 2-5% of muscle strength is lost with each day of inactivity.

Even without inactivity, once people hit their forties, the body begins to naturally want to lose muscle mass. Knowing this basic information makes it understandable why after even just a season of inactivity, a walk around the block or even just moving from the seated position to the standing position can be a challenge.

I have talked many times about the importance of staying active from a health standpoint and from a fall prevention standpoint. Oftentimes an individual’s fitness level can ebb and flow, so I am encouraging you to take a close look at your aging parent you are caring for, or yourself for that matter!

(Related blog posts: Managing Quarantine Debility, Falls At Home)

Signs of deconditioning.

Is your loved one moving more slowly than he typically does? Does your mom seem to have to use more effort to stand up from her favorite chair? Is your husband seeming to do more furniture surfing (grabbing onto any available piece of furniture throughout the house) while moving from one room to the next? These are just a few indicators that your loved one is deconditioned. So what can be done about this?

The best treatment for deconditioning is moving! Sometimes, however, just moving can be difficult or even overwhelming. This is a time when it is best to call in the professionals, and by professionals, I mean the physical and occupational therapists.

(Related blog post: Mobility, A Prong Of Healthy Aging)

How to combat deconditioning.

I think many people inaccurately believe that therapy is needed only when an injury or illness occurs in a person. That is not always the case, however. Deconditioning is a diagnosis often used by physicians in order to obtain therapy services for their patients. I frequently order PT and OT for patients who have declined in their strength and endurance over time. I like to call these periods of therapy a “tune up.”

The physical therapist will identify the specific muscle groups or balance deficits in a person and then provide an individualized program to strengthen the deconditioned muscles and improve the balance. With these improvements in strength, the patient can then begin to work on his endurance.

The same goes with the occupational therapist. She will see what sorts of activities of daily living (ADLs) are requiring more effort for her patients and will then design a specific exercise program to help each patient be able to complete these ADLs in a more safe way. Once the exercise program is established by the therapists, I want to reiterate the importance of having your loved one follow through on the program and do the exercises on his own or with the help and guidance of you or someone else that might be assisting your loved one.

Keep active to avoid deconditioning.

The goal is to keep your aging parent moving by improving and maintaining their strength. Sometimes after a long winter cooped up inside, a short “tune-up” with the physical or occupational therapist is warranted. If you feel your loved one might be showing signs of deconditioning, please do not hesitate to contact their primary care provider and request an order for physical and/or occupational therapy to improve her strength and endurance and, hopefully, get her outside enjoying the warmer months!

Feeling overwhelmed with the process?

Afraid you may not make the right decision at the right time? This stage of life for you and your aging parent often brings more questions than answers. Reading information from a trusted source like me can help guide you in the process. However, if you still feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am happy to help with a personalized plan for your unique situation.