Celtic Haven Golf and Leisure Club’s fitness tip of the week with Iân Morris

GET UP and GO! TOO MUCH BED REST CAN BE BAD FOR PATIENTS

Research shows that too much bed rest weakens elderly hospital patients and keeping them up and about instead, can make the difference between going home or going into a home.

Get Up, Get Dressed, Moving is Best -

• At home an older person may walk 5,000+ steps a day, but in hospital that can drop to under 1,000.

• Elderly patients in a bed begin to weaken one day after admission.

• After just 24 hours bed rest, 2.5 per cent of muscle power is lost.

• Ten days bed rest can lead up to 10 years loss of muscle mass.

• Patients physical activity can drop 90 per cent when they’re in hospital.

• Impaired mobility is the reason for 4/10 care home admissions.