Get up, Get dressed, Get moving – three steps to a faster recovery

Physiotherapists at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are urging people in hospital – with support from relatives and friends – to stay active to aid their recovery. While rest is important, prolonged periods in a hospital bed can contribute to long-term problems, as physiotherapist Eilidh Macrae explains: 

 

“Even just 24 hours in bed can cause something called hospital acquired deconditioning. This means muscles get weaker, leading to decreased mobility and longer stays. It becomes a vicious cycle, where people have less energy and can be at a much-increased risk of falling or infection.” 

 

Sometimes called ‘pj paralysis’ this can mean people are five times more likely to require institutional care, for example, in a care home, when they are discharged. 

 

Fellow physiotherapist, Caitlin Glennie added: “At the very least, we want to see everyone getting out of bed during the day, especially to have their meals. If they feel fit enough to do this themselves, they don’t need to wait for a physio assessment, but if they do need some extra help, every ward has a physiotherapy team assigned to it.” 

 

Getting dressed and getting moving has important psychological benefits too, helping people keep their sense of self during a hospital stay. 

 

Alex MacKenzie, lead physiotherapist for ARI said: “Relatives and friends have an important role to play in recovery. Encouraging someone to take a short walk – even just around the ward – will help them stay fit and get better sooner.” 

 

Madge Donald, 93 years old and from Kincardine O’Neil, is a patient at ARI. She said: “I want to get back to my own home as soon as I can. Keeping active in hospital is going to help me to do that.” 

 

Leaflets explaining the benefits of getting up, getting dressed, and getting moving will shortly be distributed to wards across ARI and some community hospitals.