Physical Inactivity Essay -- Health, Ageing, Nursing Home

Introduction and purpose Ageing is a common process in life. With ageing, functional capabilities deteriorate and lead to major risk in health. So for older people, keeping them physically active is an important role in their healthy ageing. This will help them to maintain their independence and value their life as long as they live. Engaging in physical activity will reduce the risk of chronic conditions and improve the state of mind and well being. Being physically active by participating in regular physical activities has a major health advantage which has been well documented. Despite the advantage of day to day physical activity a large number of older people go ahead with their inactive way of life. This study was conducted in older people who live in LTC about their barriers in performing the physical activity. In 2007, WHO urged the researchers to conduct a study on the reasons of physical inactivity in older adults. This study was able to improve patient outcomes due to the fact that older people a re aware of the importance of keeping themselves active and having a meaningful, healthy ageing life. Review of the literature The author has reviewed the previous studies on the barriers of regular physical activity in the community living older people (Jones and Nies 1996, Conn 1998, Heesch et al 2003, Lin et.al 2007). But the review shows that little study was done among older adults living in LTC about the barriers they face in their physical activity. The areas of nursing practices are to identify the barriers in older people that keep them away from their physical activity. Developing a plan of care and interventions depend on the individual problems. Study Design Qualitative exploratory design is used in this study... ...here are barriers among older adults who stays in LTC centers .The barriers are Physical health problems and physical frailty, Fear of resultant injury or falling, past sedentary lifestyle, insufficient understanding about physical activity and environmental restrictions. Health care providers have a major role in influencing these older adults to take up a regular physical activity. This study suggests that health care providers need to intervene these barriers to develop and maintain physical activity. Also it is important to provide supportive surroundings. Change in behavior cannot occur in overnight, so ongoing physical activity practice is needed. For most of the older residents the LTC becomes the permanent homes, so the health care provider needs to develop a continuous relationship with these residents. These findings contributed to the nursing knowledge.