Physiotherapy moves… seniors!
The Ministry of Health and the Chief Sanitary Inspector, due to the introduction of the epidemic state, advise seniors not to stay in public places to avoid infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, just a few days without moving can cause consequences that are difficult to reverse. Therefore, the Polish Chamber of Physiotherapists and the Ministry of Health prepared a preventive programme ‘Active senior at home’. It is a set of several safe exercises that seniors can do at home. Exercises are published on a special website www.fizjoterapiaporusza.pl, in the ‘Active Senior’ subpage.
People over the age of 70 are particularly vulnerable to the more severe disease caused by the new coronavirus. They are burdened with comorbidities and have reduced immunity. We are aware of the fact that forcibly staying at home can significantly reduce physical activity. Especially for the elderly, this can cause dangerous consequences for the whole body. Hence an idea to develop an easily accessible preventive programme ‘Active senior at home’. It is a set of several safe exercises that will facilitate functioning in difficult moments. They are easy to perform for everyone, even the elderly and do not require specialized equipment, just ordinary household items such as a sofa, chair or windowsill. This is important because, in an epidemic situation, seniors often do not have access to sports equipment or special instruments.
Exercises have been prepared by an expert team of physiotherapists, who work with geriatric, neurological and cardiological patients on a daily basis. The team consisted of Agnieszka Wójcik PT, PhD (also as a lector in films), Piotr Czyżewski PT, PhD, Monika Piekarniak PT, MSc, Marta Podhorecka PT, PhD, Anna Pyszora PT, PhD, Marta Sidaway PT, PhD, Professor Edyta Smolis-Bąk PT, PhD, Agnieszka Stępień PT, PhD and Professor Aleksandra Truszczyńska-Baszak PT, PhD. In the films, shot in the Chamber’s office, Agnieszka Pawlak played the role of a patient.
Exercises are published on a special website www.fizjoterapiaporusza.pl and on YouTube and Facebook of the Ministry of Health. Every day on the given page, one video with an exercise is published, along with expert comment and tips on the number of repetitions or pace. The entire series of films will be available to everyone and for free. We also appeal to younger people to help seniors access these exercises because not all of them can navigate Internet resources and use social media!
The campaign was noticed by the media – on TV channels TVN24 and TVN. The campaign was also featured by PAP (Polish Press Agency), ‘Wprost’ Journal, TVP (Polish Public Television), ‘Radio Maryja’, and in many local media.
All films with exercises are available with English subtitles!
Check them out! à www.youtube.com/playlist