Exercise in the treatment of the elderly and of diabetic complications

ABSTRACT

The elderly can reap similar benefits as the young from regular exercise. Of particular benefit are cardiovascular fitness and reduction in muscle wasting. The ability to cope with disabilities is aggravated by muscle wasting but this can be slowed by doing resistance training. Additional challenges include working with the disabled who may have had amputations, but these issues are similar to that of all other disabled without diabetes. Probably the greatest hindrance is the perception that the elderly can not exercise. Even health professionals such as physiotherapists are guilty of giving less than 100 percent care and advice for discharge patients. A family and community approach to providing exercise for the elderly and including church programmes will be the most cost effective. The Barbados Diabetes Intervention Study (BDIS) provides an example of an integrated programme, which can be modeled by other Caribbean countries.(AU)