The one thing everyone wants after a hospital stay is to go home. However that is not always the best idea.
While in the hospital, deconditioning, or detraining as it is sometimes referred to, is a common problem – especially among the senior population. Deconditioning is a process of changes that take place after bed rest or inactivity. It results in functional losses in the ability to accomplish activities of daily living, and is frequently a result of hospitalization of an older person. Deconditioning results in a loss of muscle mass. This loss of muscle mass is of great concern because it can lead to a decline in daily functioning, falls, immobility, and an increase in frailty.
Those clients who choose to go home after a hospital stay experience a more difficult recovery. It takes time to rebuild muscles and a Rehabilitation facility offers more intense physical therapy that you would get at home. Even after a Rehab stay, the physical therapy continues at home for a while.
Many people may believe that they are too old to spend time building muscles. This is not true. According to research conducted by Dr. Miriam Nelson, author of the book Strong Women Stay Young, most women begin to lose muscle mass after the age of 40, partly because they begin to slow down. Yet in her study, conducted at Tufts University, women who engaged in strength training for one year resulted in bodies that were stronger, had better balance, improved flexibility, and were more energized.
So when given the choice there is none. After a hospital stay, Rehab is the next stop!!
