Bedridden patients find it extremely difficult to move around and are more prone to bedsores and such. As they are mostly not able to do any form of physical activity, it can have a negative effect on their overall mobility. However, even if your loved one is confined to the bed, there are a few bedridden patient exercises mentioned over here that one must be followed every day. Here are a few passive exercises for bedridden patients that can be extremely beneficial if done regularly. These exercises can be done to promote some amount of mobility on a daily basis, without being uncomfortable. For pain sufferers, many days do not work this way, in fact, some pain is so severe and persistent as to maintain an individual in bed over days. Here are a few hand and arm exercises for bedridden patients that can be carried out with ease, even though all the exercises mentioned here are extremely safe. Make sure you first speak to your doctor or therapist and get a go-ahead before performing them.
1. Palm Stretch To Improve Mobility
The palm stretch exercise is a very basic and simple exercise for bed patients, this patient can do while lying down or sitting up in bed. It helps to build up the tolerance and assist in mobility.
- Take your hand and bring it close to your body.
- Open your palm and extend all your fingers for a few seconds. You should start to feel the stretch in the root of your fingers.
- Now start touching each finger separately to your thumb.
- Do the same using your other hand.
- Repeat the exercise a few times with both hands a few times each day.
2. Arm Lift To Build Strength
The arm lift for bedridden patient exercises is a great way to improve overall strength in the arm, and the patient can do it independently, or with the help of a caregiver.
- You can do the exercise while lying down or sitting up in bed.
- Lift one arm over your head as high as you can and keep it there for about 10 seconds. Bring it down slowly and repeat the same with the other arm.
- For those patients who are able to do it with ease, increase the amount of time that you hold out the arm for.
- For those patients who are not able to do the exercise with ease, you can place your upper arm on the bed and simply lift the elbow to form a 90-degree angle.
3. Wrist Rotation To Improve Mobility
The wrist rotation exercise will need a little bit more strength and are a great way to improve mobility and flexibility. Wrist rotation is a great passive exercise for bedridden patients, helping preserve the strength and mobility of the wrists.
- Place your palm in a palm down position on the bed.
- Start rotating your wrist towards your small finger in such a way that the side of the thumb part of the hand moves up from the bed.
- Now move the hand in the opposite direction in such a way that the little finger side of the hand moves up from the bed.
- Do these steps and hold each position for at least 10 to 15 seconds.
- Make sure that during the exercise, your forearm remains firmly on the bed.
4. Ankle Plantarflexion Dorsiflexion Exercise
The ankle plantarflexion-dorsiflexion exercise will help you to improve your overall range of motion, and also help to increase and improve blood circulation in your ankles.
- Lie down on the bed on your back.
- For this exercise, you will need the help of your caregiver. Ask the person to hold your ankle and the heel. Next, your caregiver will have to bend your foot forward and hold it there for a few seconds, till you feel the stretch.
- Next, your caregiver will have to slowly push your foot upward and bring it back to the original position.
- Repeat the steps with the other leg.
5. Leg Lift
The leg lift exercise is a bedridden exercise, recommended for those patients who are in overall good health and are strong enough to do the particular steps. This is among the top passive exercise for bed rest patients and want to ensure that their legs and limbs stay in good health.
- Lie down on the bed on your back.
- Slowly start to bring your leg upwards towards the hip joint. Now hold it in place for about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Bring it down slowly to the starting position.
- Now repeat the same steps with the other leg.
- If you are strong enough and can do the steps without feeling too tired or any pain or discomfort, try doing the leg lift exercise at least a few times a day.
6. Single-Leg Hip Lift
The single-leg hip lift exercise will help to prevent muscle atrophy, a condition that affects muscles when they are not being used, as in the case of bedridden patients.
- Lie down on the bed on your back.
- Keep one leg in a bent position with the foot lying on the bed, while the other leg has to be straight.
- Now lift your hips up from the bed by applying force on the muscles of the bent leg. Hold the position for a while.
- Return to the start position and repeat with the other leg by changing the position.
7. Hamstring Stretch To Strengthen Muscles
The hamstring stretch exercise will help to stretch the muscles and prevent them from shortening, a condition that can affect bedridden patients. This is one of the best passive exercises for bedridden patients with hamstring problems.
- Lie down on the bed on your back. You will require the assistance of the caregiver for this particular exercise.
- Ask the caregiver to lift one leg and take it towards your chest. The knee has to be straight.
- Hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Bring the leg back to the original position and repeat with the other leg.
Physiotherapy exercises for bedridden patients also work very well. This starts with small movements in the hands and legs. They also give some bedridden patient exercises for elderly people.
Here are some additional bedridden patient exercises for body stretch, massaging your arms over your head and shoving down through your heels. Breathe deeply in and out, relaxing as you exhale and extending everything as you inhale.
How To Prevent Infections In Bedridden Patients
Here are some ways in which you can help to prevent infections in a bedridden patient:
- Examine the patient daily.
- Use water or air bed to make sure the bodyweight is distributed evenly on the mattress.
- Use antiseptic cleaning agents to prevent infection. Make sure the patient is properly dried after every bath or cleaning session.
How To Care For A Bedridden Patient
Here are some ways in which you can care for a bedridden patient:
- Look for bed sores and take measures to prevent the same.
- Change the bed linen each day, multiple numbers of times if required.
- Make sure to take care of the patient’s personal hygiene, such as brushing, combing, trimming etc.
- Frequently change the patient’s position, preferably after every 2 hours.
- While feeding, help to prop up the patient to avoid any choking or spilling.
Looking after a bedridden patient can be exhausting on the family members, so you can enlist the help of a professional caregiver for the same, who has the right experience and training. While the above passive exercise for bed rest patients can certainly help with overall health, opting for a caregiver will give you the peace of mind to ensure that your beloved ones are taken care of at times they need help the most.
You can book an appointment with a Care24 caregiver to know more.
