The Impact of Physical Inactivity in Long-Term Care Settings during Covid- Pandemic: Case Study of Residents in Edmonton General Continuing Care Center (EGCCC), In Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Research Prediction and Outcome

Desired Outcomes

The purpose of the study is to determine if there has been any considerable deterioration in the health of vulnerable people located in EGCCC due to the lack of physical activity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study will demonstrate how the reduction/elimination of physical activity by the residents of EGCCC during the pandemic resulted in their decreased quality of life. Elderly residents need physical activity to improve their overall health and reduce muscle mass deterioration as they age (Izquierdo, Duque, & Morley, 2021). With the study results, improvements in older adults physical activity in LTCs will increase even with the current Covid-19 pandemic. The study will make recommendations to prevent recurrence of physical inactivity and establish necessary guidelines for future pandemics ensuring vulnerable populations maintain physical activity. Exercise regimens should never be removed regardless of the requirements placed on institutions caring for the elderly. Eliminating exercise for the old and frail leads to reduced quality of life and increases the chances of the residents health deteriorating.

Benefits

The study will ensure that if we are faced with another pandemic requiring social distancing and isolation, the elderly residing in LTCs will not be denied the chance for physical activity. Without physical activity, the elderly individuals health tends to deteriorate and reduce their overall life span, making them highly prone to diseases (Aubertin-Leheudre & Rolland, 2020). Sedentary lifestyles lead to increase mortality in older adults. Therefore, the study will increase our knowledge regarding the impact of physical inactivity on older adults in LTC. The project will recommend changes that other LTCs can implement to ensure they implement exercise regimens for their elderly population during a pandemic and in general. The healthcare workers in LTC facilities will receive additional training equipping them with skills for conducting physical activity exercises for periods when the facility is in isolation.

Goals and Objectives

The projects overall goal is to recommend changes in physical activity for older adults in LTC. The study aims to demonstrate how a lack of physical activity at EGCCC resulted in the deterioration...…continue to receive their exercise regimens in a safe environment. The community will better understand the importance of physical activity for the older adults residing in LTC facilities and even those living at home. Overall, the study will increase the push for exercise for all adults aged 60 years and over with or without a pandemic.

What Is Already Known?

The importance of physical activity is well understood and researched globally. Engaging in physical activity improves the populations quality of life and mental health (Izquierdo et al., 2021). The isolation recommendation made by the World Health Organization (WHO) denied the older adults the chance to visit their physical activity centers resulting in physical inactivity during the pandemic. Updates have been made to push for suitably tailored programs for these individuals in the community or at home. Even in long-term hospitalization, it has been observed that patients mainly were seen sitting or lying down without anyone encouraging them to partake in any physical activity. The reduction in muscle mass has been well researched in the literature, and numerous studies indicate how beneficial physical activity is to maintaining…