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Caring for someone at home can be a demanding occupation. At times, a few good tips can make a world of difference.

Here are some ideas to help maximise the persons’ assets, so that they are able to function at their highest level. We have also outlined techniques that you can use, when the person needs a higher level of assistance to perform everyday tasks. If you need advice, please consult your physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

• Exercise prevents muscles from getting tight and joints from getting stiff
• It maintains function and prolongs independence
• It improves physical stamina
• Longer-term, it can help to reduce anxiety and depression
• It can prevent 50% of ageing decline

Home Exercise Programme
A home exercise programme is meant to be performed by the person upon discharge from the hospital. It is designed as a supplement to the rehabilition programme. The physiotherapist will explain and demonstrate home exercises during rehabilitation sessions.

Role Of The Carer
The carer plays an important role to ensure a successful exercise programme.

• Encourage the person to exercise daily by building a programme into their daily routine
• You can assist the person to move the affected limb during an exercise
• Encourage the person to repeat each exercise 5 -10 times, twice a day, if tolerated
• Reinforce the need to exercise slowly and correctly
• Check that the person is not straining or holding his/her breath during an exercise
• Stop the exercise when the person feels tired, unwell, breathless or has pain
• Don’t encourage the person to exercise when he is feeling tired or unwell

Note: A firm mattress is needed for these exercises.

Bottom up

• Lie on your back
• Bend both knees and place your feet firmly on the bed
• Raise your hips and buttocks by pushing down through both your feet
• Do not arch your back

Knees rocking

• Bend both your knees and hold them together
• Roll your knees from right to left
• Don’t move your shoulders whilst rolling your knees from side to side

Opening and closing your knees

• Bend both your knees
• Open one knee towards the mattress, whilst keeping the other knee still
• Repeat with the other knee

Bringing your knees to your chest

• Bring one knee to your chest and move it down again
• Repeat with the other knee

Leg kicking

• Raise the leg so that it is straight out in front of you
• Lower it to the floor
• Repeat this with the other leg
  
  
  
  

Foot tapping

• Move your foot up and down at the ankle with one leg
• Repeat with the other leg
  
  
  
  
  
  

Hands towards ceiling

• Raise your hand over your head keeping your elbow straight and the palm of your hand facing inwards towards your body
• Repeat this with the other hand
  
  
  
  

Hands out

• Raise your hand out, away from your body out to the side
• Repeat this with the other hand
  
  
  
  

Eating time

• Bring your hand up to your mouth, as if you were eating

Lower the hand

• Repeat this with the other hand

Hand waving

• Place your hand on the table top or on your lap
• Wave at the wrist, with both hands

Walking Exercise

• When the person has an injury or weakness in one or both legs, a walking aid may be recommended. It is important to consult the physiotherapist for an appropriate aid.

Advice to Carer Regarding Walking Aids

• Be sure that all locking mechanisms are secured and fully engaged
• Be certain that all spring lock detent buttons are secured and fully engaged
• Replace the rubber tips of the walking aid when worn out

• Adjust the walking aid so that when the person’s arm is extended, the handle is at wrist height
• When the walking aid is adjusted properly, the elbow angle should be at 20o - 30o
• The person should stand tall and not hunch at the shoulders
• Good posture = less fatigue
• The person should always stand 1/2 step back from the walking aid

• Personal Hygiene & Nutrition
  
• Incontinence
  
• Wound Care
  
• Exercise & Mobility
  
• The Psychosocial Aspect of Caregiving
  
• Medical Care
  
• Safe Use of Medicine
  
• Dying