How to Determine if Your Loved One Receives Enough Activity

Nursing homes are required to provide seniors with more than just medical treatment and a safe living environment. They are also required to provide seniors with activities. Generally speaking, active seniors are more likely to lead happier, healthier lives. When a nursing home does not provide an appropriate amount of activity, they may be legally liable for any harm they suffer as a result.

How Does Physical Activity Benefit Seniors? 

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical activity has many benefits for senior citizens. These include:

• Improving or maintaining balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination, which can protect seniors from falls,
• Increasing a senior’s independence,
• Reducing the risks of serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer,
• Prevention of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and uplifting the mood of seniors, and
• Encouraging socialization, which also boosts mental and physical health.

Strenuous activity is not necessary for seniors to obtain the above benefits. Even moderate activity on a regular basis can have important and sustained improvements in a senior’s health and well-being.

Signs of Enough Activity 

Nursing homes should make an effort to ensure that residents remain active. Signs that your family member is receiving enough physical activity within a nursing home include:

• A generally positive and upbeat mood most of the time,
• Relatively stable strength, balance, and mobility for their lifestyle and age,
• The staff is involved and engaged with your family member and other residents,
• The nursing home offers a variety of on-site and off-site programming options for residents,
• At least a few of the programs offered are appropriate for your loved one’s health and mobility, and
• The nursing home has occupational and physical therapists to monitor the activity levels of residents.

Signs Your Loved One is Not Receiving Enough Activity

 Just as there are signs indicating that your loved one is receiving enough physical activity, there are also common signs that they are not. It is important to watch for these so you can spot problems early. They include:

• Your loved one remains in a depressed state, or their mood vastly fluctuates,
• Your loved one becomes noticeably more uncoordinated, unsteady, or physically weaker,
• Your family member develops physical problems associated with inactivity such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or bed sores, and
• The nursing home is understaffed and does not regularly interact with residents.

Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Can Help with Your Case

 After admitting your loved one to a nursing home, you have the right to know that they will receive the quality care they deserve, including having access to regular physical activity. If a nursing home has failed in this regard, you can hold them liable and our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney at Kohn Law can help you do it. We are committed to helping families exercise their rights, and we can help you, too. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about your legal options.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/Sections/0400.022.html

cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/health-benefits/older-adults.html