What is Posture
And Why is it Important?
Are you used to seeing this?
This is something that has come to be expected when visiting our loved ones, especially in care homes. There comes the time when they don't get out of bed anymore, they don't talk or do things anymore and they become a ball in their bed.
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This can be completely preventable and sometimes correctable. With the right training for carers and families support can be identified early and provided to ensure our loved ones are happy and engaged, for as long as possible.
Why does this Happen?
Conditions such as Dementia, Stroke and Neurological Degenerative Diseases cause the brain to struggle to process sensory information.
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When your body isn't sure what is going on around it it will seek sensory information and the quickest way for someone with these conditions to do this, is to have touch input which is why you will find that people hug themselves and are in a ball shape.
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They are receiving sensory input the only way they can control, through themselves.
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What is the Impact?
Contractures
Contractures are what happens when our muscles shorten due to lack of use.
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Contractures can lead to our bodies being unable to move and getting stuck in one position
This is very painful when people then try to move us to do things like personal care
Breathing
Our lungs work best when we move around, and when we are sat up; it helps any settlements to move and be coughed up.
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Being stuck in one position can restrict how well we breathe and our ability to move air around our lungs.
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People who have contractures are more likely to experience recurrent chest infections.
Digestion
Being curled up in a ball is not good for our bowels, it makes it hard for our food to move through our digestive tract.
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People are more likely to have constipation and then overflow.
Urinary Tract Infections
Being stuck in a curled up position and having pain when carers try to move us can make it difficult for carers to access our personal areas and help us stay clean.
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People who have contractures are more likely to experience recurrent UTIs
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Exhaustion
Being curled up in a ball with tight muscles is exhausting. Try giving yourself a tight hug, as hard as you can, you'll find you can't stay in that position for long
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If you're exhausted you're much less likely to want to or be able to engage with the world
Function
If your arms are stuck clinging to your body how will you reach the drink on the table?
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If you're feet are stuck tucked up to your bottom how will you sit in a chair anymore?