HELPING YOU STAY ACTIVE

Staying physically and socially active are two of the most important things you can do to be fit and healthy, maintain your independence and improve your quality of life. With the recent COVID-19 restrictions, you may have spent more time at home and found it difficult to be physically and socially active. Getting active again and reconnecting with family and friends as restrictions change might be a bit challenging. But there are things you can do and supports available to help you get moving again, even if you need to stay at home.

The side effects of some medicines such as drowsiness, dizziness or feeling unsteady on your feet can also make it difficult to be active. If you feel this way, talk with your GP and together you can work out if any of your medicines need adjusting and the best way to help you return to being active.

Why be active?

The benefits of being active are clear. You may:

• have more energy, and better strength and balance
• concentrate better
• sleep better
• feel calmer
• have improved mood
• have improved general health.

What could improve my ability to be active?

Your ability to do everyday activities can be made easier if you:

What type of activities could I do?

Find ways to be active that are enjoyable to you. See here for ideas that might suit you.

If you can, reduce the length of time you spend sitting and avoid sitting for long periods.

Your GP can assess your mobility and refer you, where clinically indicated, to other health professionals such as a physiotherapist, an exercise physiologist or occupational therapist to help develop a physical activity plan that suits your needs, abilities and home setting.

By including these types of exercises in your activity routine, you will get the best health outcomes:

See below for more ideas

How could medicines affect my ability to be active?

As we get older, we tend to have more health problems which often means we may need to take more medicines. Changes in our bodies also mean we could become more sensitive to the side effects of some medicines, even those we have been taking for some time.

Side effects of some commonly used medicines include drowsiness, light headedness, dizziness, poor concentration, difficulty thinking clearly, memory loss and blurred vision. These side effects may make it harder to do the things you enjoy and need to do each day. Medicines with these side effects are used to treat many conditions including:

• respiratory conditions such as airways diseases
• allergies, coughs and colds
• some pain conditions, including migraines
• depression and anxiety
• sleeping problems
• stomach and digestive problems, including heartburn and nausea
• high blood pressure
• bladder control problems
• epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease.

How can a medicines review help my ability to be active?

A medicines review can help identify problems with your medicines that may be making it difficult for you to be active, such as feeling dizzy or sleepy during the day. A medicines review can be especially helpful if you have recently started a new medicine or have had the dose of a medicine changed.

Talk with your GP if you feel sleepy, dizzy or unsteady on your feet, or you are finding it difficult to get moving during the day. Your GP might suggest that you have a Home Medicines Review. In this service, a pharmacist reviews all your medicines. The Home Medicines Review may be conducted face-to-face or via telehealth (a telephone or video consultation); your GP will check this for you. Together with your GP and pharmacist, you can work out if any of your medicines need adjusting.

It’s also a good idea for you to keep an up-to-date list of your medicines, making sure to include medicines you buy from the pharmacy, health food shop or supermarket, and medicines that you take only occasionally.

Examples of activities you might like to do

Here are some examples of activities that may suit you:

Remember:

• it’s best to include a mixture of strength, flexibility and balance exercises, and fitness activities for your heart, lungs and circulation, in your activity routine
• even small periods of time being active each day will help to keep you moving
• increasing the time you are active each week, even by a small amount, is beneficial
• exercising with a friend or joining a group can add to the enjoyment
• you may be able to re-join group activities outside the home as COVID-19 restrictions change; before attending, check your state government’s policy on physical distancing.

These strength and balance activities can be done at home, for example, while watching TV or waiting for the kettle to boil:

	Heel raises for strength and balance: Stand sideways next to a bench with your feet apart and hold on to the bench with one hand to support yourself. Slowly rise up on to your toes, hold for one second and slowly lower again. Do this a few times to begin with, increasing to more times.
	Side leg raises for strength and balance: Stand sideways to a bench, hold on with your right hand to support yourself and slowly take your left leg out to the side. Keep your back and both legs straight, and hold the position for one second before slowly lowering. Repeat a few times at first, increasing to more times. Turn around and hold on with your left hand while you raise your right leg.
	Knee lifts for strength: While sitting in your chair with your back straight, bend your left knee and lift your left leg towards your chest. Hold for a few seconds then slowly lower. Do this a few times with each leg.
	Stand up and sit down (or chair raise) for strength and balance: From sitting on a chair with your feet flat on the floor and slightly apart, and keeping your back and shoulders straight, slowly stand up, trying not to use your hands. Then, slowly sit back down and pause. Do this a few times.

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