Immobility and Rehabilitation

Question 1

What is sarcopenia?

Answer 1

Age related loss of muscle mass and function

Question 2

What is the criteria you have to fill to be diagnosed with sarcopenia?

Answer 2

1. Low muscle mass
2. Low muscle strength
3. Low physical performance
   (Criteria 1 + Criteria 2 or 3)

Question 3

When does muscle mass start to decline? When does this accelerate?

Answer 3

Starts to decline at around 30

Accelerates after 60

Question 4

What can you do to reduce sarcopenia?

Answer 4

Exercise- progressive resistance training increases strength, aerobic treatment increases endurance

Question 5

What is the target physical activity level for older people?

Answer 5

The same as younger adults: 150 minutes a weel or moderate intensity in bouts of 10 minutes or more.

Question 6

What interventions have an evidence base of reducing sarcopenia in older people?

Answer 6

Calcium, Vitamin D and Protein supplementation
Creatine
ACE inhibitors

Question 7

What is the definition of rehabilitation?

Answer 7

“An active process by which those disabled by injury / disease achieve a full recovery, or if a full recovery is not possible, realise their optimal physical, mental and social potential and are integrated into their most appropriate environment. Rehabilitation is goal orientated and involves a mixture of clinical, therapeutic, social and environmental interventions.”

Question 8

What is reablement?

Answer 8

“services for people with poor physical or mental health to help them accommodate their illness by learning or re-learning the skills necessary for daily living.”