If you or a loved one is refusing to get up out of bed, you need to take action immediately. No matter how you look at it, spending too much time in bed is not good and will lead to a decline quickly.
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We recently started working with a client who spends almost 100% of her time in bed. Until we started seeing her, she only got out of bed to go to the commode. This started about 2 months ago. Now we are fighting an uphill battle to work on getting her up and out of bed so she can do things she wants, like go get her hair fixed. In fact she just left her room for the first time in 2 months on Tuesday. Today she worked on standing and she walked more then she has walked in 2 months or more. Our goal is by the time the snow is gone she can get out of the house and get a perm (what she wants to be able to do).
Why is staying in bed so bad?
Well, there are lots of reasons. Here are a few:
- It increases risk of bed sores.
- Loss of muscle mass and strength. For every week, you lose 1% of your muscle mass. After 2 weeks, you lose 10% of muscle mass.
- Loss of bone mass. For every week in bed, you lose about 1% of your bone density.
- Decreased endurance.
- Increased stress and anxiety.
- Reduced oxygen uptake, increased fatigue.
- Increased risk of pneumonia.
- Changes in the size of the heart. After a month in bed, the heart pumps 30% less.
- Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes
- Increased risk of damaging veins and developing blood clots.
- Increased chronic pain, increased medication use.
- Increased forgetfulness and confusion.
- Increased depression
Home Therapy Solutions is here to help! We work with our clients and caregivers on improving the quality of life of all of our clients! We will work with you on developing a plan on increasing your function so you can enjoy doing things daily! The best part is we come to you! You do not have to try and figure out how to get to an outpatient clinic. We come to you so we can work in your natural environment.
Call us today: 218-230-2171
It is important that we start as soon as you notice a decline.
* If you prefer, watch this video where I discuss this topic.
Sources: The Bad Side of Bed Rest What would happen if you never got out of bed Why is it a bad idea to stay in bed Why you shouldn’t stay in bed too long What would happen if you never left your bed
