Should I Push My Father To Excersize Or Let Him Be?

My father  74,  spent most of his life time outdoors, working on the farm, checking his cattle, or walking through the alfalfa.  He was blessed with good health  through his life,  last wk was the first time he had ever stayed at a Hospital.  IThis did not sit well with him.  they did not encourage him to walk or move around, so his body got more and more used to that,  Due to the many days spent sitting has made him unwilling to move around much at all . Yesterday, I noticed he was picking up his feet and then slowly stepping down almost as if he was concentrating on walking or like a child first learning how to walk.  This bothered me.  Possibly his legs are getting stiff from sitting all day and not moving throughout the day.  When this first started i encouraged him to walk, but have stopped for fear it might do him worse due to the pain.  I'm not sure what to do!  Any advice or words of wisdom?  Do I get the whip out(The little one) and push the poor guy so he doesn't lose his ability to walk..or do i leave him be and give hime peace with possible regrets later. ahh  help...I appreciate it.

Susana

Push him ...not too hard!! He needs oxegen flow to his cells. You can do a "sit and be fit " routine with him,it will release natural chemicals. seritonin and endorfins. (not sure of spelling),whitch are natural mood elevators,as well as getting oxegen flow to the cells.(oxegen is there fuel)   Also you could try walking in a swimming pool,where you are 10% of your weight.Nutrition and excercise are important.my dad stage 4 is in his 70's too. Good Luck and May God Bless You!!!

 

On 12/15/2007 DaddysGrl wrote:

My father  74,  spent most of his life time outdoors, working on the farm, checking his cattle, or walking through the alfalfa.  He was blessed with good health  through his life,  last wk was the first time he had ever stayed at a Hospital.  IThis did not sit well with him.  they did not encourage him to walk or move around, so his body got more and more used to that,  Due to the many days spent sitting has made him unwilling to move around much at all . Yesterday, I noticed he was picking up his feet and then slowly stepping down almost as if he was concentrating on walking or like a child first learning how to walk.  This bothered me.  Possibly his legs are getting stiff from sitting all day and not moving throughout the day.  When this first started i encouraged him to walk, but have stopped for fear it might do him worse due to the pain.  I'm not sure what to do!  Any advice or words of wisdom?  Do I get the whip out(The little one) and push the poor guy so he doesn't lose his ability to walk..or do i leave him be and give hime peace with possible regrets later. ahh  help...I appreciate it.

Susana

 

sounds like my Mom.  She was in the hospital for the first time at age 79.  She had to go to rehab to learn had to walk again with strength.  Have the hospital staff call physical therapy stat.  The muscle become so weak.  He can even have out patient PT.

 Hope he is better soon.