Time to put your best foot forward for Active August!

Over the coming month, Swansea Bay University Health Board will be focusing on helping older people move more to boost their overall health and wellbeing.

Keeping patients active is vital to maintaining physical and mental health and reducing the danger of catching infections such as covid, flu and other nasty bugs like hospital acquired pneumonias.

Inactivity and unnecessarily prolonged bed rest in older people can lead to deconditioning, which results in the loss of muscle strength together, potentially, with mental and functional decline.

Deconditioning can affect anyone, regardless of age, but its impacts are particularly devastating for older and frail individuals leading them to have a greater risk of falling over when they do stand up and move around.

The stark reality is that 10 days of bed rest can lead to a level of muscle loss equivalent to 10 years of ageing.

Sitting or lying still for too long can also cause pressure ulcers, can increase confusion and disorientation and can lead to not eating or drinking enough.

All of these things can cause further harm and for inpatients, longer hospital stays.

As part of our Active August campaign we are launching a new booklet explaining how you can help prevent deconditioning as well as a short video demonstrating some simple exercises, which are suitable for all ages..

There will be drop-in sessions in the foyers of Neath Port Talbot (5 August) and Morriston (19 August) hospitals with staff on hand to explain deconditioning and what you can do to help combat it.

We will also share testimonies from some of our Deconditioning Ambassadors who explain what they do, and its importance in helping patients recover quicker, in a bid to recruit more staff to the important role.

But it’s not just the elderly we are targeting. It’s an indisputable fact that regular exercise boosts health and wellbeing, no matter what age you are. So we will be encouraging all to make a commitment to be as safely active as they can this August – and beyond.

Eleri D’Arcy, Swansea Bay’s Falls Quality Improvement Lead, said: “This August, we’re inviting staff, patients, and visitors to get moving, get learning, and get involved as part of Active August – a month-long campaign raising awareness about the risks of hospital-associated deconditioning.

“We’re hosting two special drop-in sessions where you can experience first-hand how deconditioning can affect people during a hospital stay – and more importantly, what we can all do to prevent it.

“Drop in any time during the day!

“These interactive events are open to everyone – whether you're a member of staff, a patient, or a visitor.

“Come along to discover what deconditioning is and why it matters, try practical demonstrations that show the effects of inactivity, and learn simple ways to stay active and independent during a hospital stay.

“You will also be able to take part in fun competitions and activities while picking up resources and ideas to help support patient movement and mobility.

“Let’s work together to keep people moving, promote recovery, and make hospital stays healthier. Come and join the fun – and leave inspired to help tackle deconditioning in our hospitals!”

Christine Morrell, Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Director of Therapies and Health Science, underlined how important the campaign is.

She said: “It's so important to keep active ourselves and to support our patients to keep moving, to promote self-care and mental stimulation. There are many practical ways we can do this and our deconditioning ambassadors are ready to support the challenge.

“It's also a good time to ensure we are all being active. Whether it's a personal goal, a team challenge or a fun competition, every little bit helps. I look forward to hearing the stories of your Active August.”