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Queensland Health recommends that clients consult with a medical practitioner prior to following these physical activity guidelines, particularly where they have been previously inactive, have heart disease or close relatives with heart disease, are pregnant or have other major health problems.
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At every appointment with the client, ask how much exercise/physical activity they are doing.
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Be a positive role model.
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Conduct a gardening program doing activities such as potting. Use a raised garden bed so its easier for the less mobile clients to use.
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Distribute booklets and other information, such as the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults and for Children and Young People.
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Educate clients about the benefits of physical activity, and of the risks of not being active.
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Encourage clients to participate in individual exercise programs. The individual nature of the programs mean the patients are more likely to continue. These should be graduated/progressive, and supervised.
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Encourage clients to use a diary – this helps them to consider physical activity every day.
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Ensure that in-services for staff are up-to-date and current, including the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults and for Children and Young People.
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Ensure that programs fit in with the client’s likes and dislikes, and their daily program. Once again, they’re more likely to stick to it.
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For inpatients, facilitate mobilisation.
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Verbally promote the idea of participating whenever you can - often the patients aren’t at the hospital long enough to do more than this. Eg. Geriatrics: "Get the basics done, such as have a shower, or make a meal".
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Promote upcoming and regular activities to clients by elevator audio messages, videos in the waiting room and posters.
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Run an outdoor activity group, (eg. croquet or lawn bowls).
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Run an outdoor walking circuit. This is often an activity used in falls prevention programs.
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Run classes for the clients, such as hydrotherapy, which cater for those who have difficulty exercising on land.
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Work with patients to set achievable goals.
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Target each person individually (remembering that there are varying levels of ability and stamina).
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You may need to encourage clients to do more, but possibly less (considering how frail they are).
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Use signs and posters to promote the concept of being active.
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Use the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults and for Children and Young People as material for the patients to copy when practicing their writing skills.
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Work to improve physical injuries and/or disabilities to allow for increase in physical activity.
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