Occupational Therapy UK
I am a highly specialised Occupational Therapist offering rehabilitation and advice to the elderly
20/12/2021
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas!
14/10/2020
Get Outside...
The longer this pandemic goes on the more worried I get about the elderly population. Not for fear they will get covid but that they are missing out on life and becoming unwell because of it.
Today I assessed an 80 year old gentleman in A&E who pre-covid was walking to the shops, independent in all his ADLs and enjoying life.
He has not left the house since March and it shows... He is weak, having frequent infections and falls and is low in mood. I see patients just like him everyday.
Had he been encouraged to *actively* shield I truly believe he would still be that confident, happy gentle he was at the start of the year.
By telling people to stay home we have stopped them exercising and we have stopped them from having even the most basic of social interactions; a wave from a neighbour, a smile from a stranger, seeing a baby learn to walk in the park.
This population is capable of staying a safe distance from the general population without being locked away. And we have done them a disservice by telling them otherwise.
Please, please encourage every elderly person you meet to move more, preferably outside!