WHY CAREGIVERS HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HEALTH

DECONDITIONING IN CAREGIVERS

Slides from talk by Dr. M.R. Murali, given at a Caregiver Meeting in March 2014

What is deconditioning? # 1

Decrease of physiological adaptation to normal conditions.

“Use it or lose it”. This principle of use/disuse simply means that when we stop exercising, we generally begin to decondition, and lose both strength and aerobic fitness.

This loss is often temporary and we can recover and even improve on the baseline function by training - both physically and mentally. Athletes call it - conditioning.

Deconditioning affects both patients and caregivers.

What is deconditioning? # 2

Remember Sir Isaac Newton said “A body at rest stays at rest”.

Environmental factors such as lack of fitness equipment, obstacles for ambulation such as deteriorated, uneven walkways, or personal factors such as the physical and mental condition of the patient or caregiver – pain, fatigue, lack of sleep, stress from new challenges sustain this inertia and prevents mobility and rehabilitation.

Caregivers engage in addressing these shortcomings for those they care for, often compromising their life style.

What is deconditioning? # 3

or Instrumental activities of daily living or IADL

or activities of daily living or ADL

Low or imbalances in energy expenditureis the main culprit

Poorly coordinated physical activity such as lack of aerobic (walking, yoga) exercise, poor sleep, mental stress, imbalances in muscular activity due to pain, spasms cause a disability associated with low energy expenditure leading to deconditioning state or a

syndrome – abbreviated as DALEEDSLack of sustained or organized mental activity

leads to decline in cognition and hence the basis of benefits from meditation, reading, story telling, listening to music, etc

Features of evolving deconditioning # 1

Overcoming deconditioning

Energy expenditure pyramid

Graphic source: http://www.notinvisible.org/policy

Preventing deconditioning of caregivers

Be active – mentally and physically –avoid burnout

Eat well (plant based, whole grain, healthy fats)Manage Stress – meditation, soduku, crossword etcSleep is restorative – make it countDon’t smoke and do not skip breakfastDon’t sit for long hours and maintain aerobic and

strengthening exercises – yoga, stretching etcGet check-ups, watch weight, B.P. and lipid levelsStay connected with peer groups and SPEAK UP!

Preventing deconditioning for caregivers

While doctors know a lot about prescribing medications …...

A more physiological approach that reinforces the concept “An ounce of prevention is better than a ton of cure” is

“Take two brisk walks and call me in the morning.” But for many caregivers as well as patients, a light “get-moving plan” might be just what the doctor should have ordered.