Home Exercise Program
Patient Name__________________
Date___________
Therapist Name___________________
After you have been in the hospital, you need to try to get back to normal activities as soon as possible. You will need extra rest, but it is best to be out of bed for every meal and sit up at least 1-2 hours twice a day. Normal activities usually include walking often, so try to walk every 1 to 2 hours during the day. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids and take your medicines as ordered. Report any problems to your doctor, home health nurse, therapist or aide.
If you have had surgery or lung problems, practice deep breathing exercises or use the incentive spirometer you received at the hospital. It is easy to combine these with the exercises described below.
1. Arm Raises
Lift arms up as high as you can. Breathe in as you lift up and breathe out as your arms come down.
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
2. Single Arm Raises
Hold theraband in both hands. Stretch one arm up and out.
Repeat______times, ______times/day
3. W - Exercises
Hold hands in front of chest with elbows bent. Moved hands out to side and squeeze shoulder blades together.
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
Advanced - use weights in hands or stretch theraband. Both of these exercises are good for osteoporosis and posture.
4. Chair Push-Ups
Place hands on arm rests of chair. Lift buttocks off the chair by pushing with your arms.
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
5. Knee Extension
Kick your foot up - then lower foot.
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
Advanced Knee Extension - Kick your foot up and move foot out. Move foot back in. Lower foot.
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
More advanced - add weight to ankle
6. Ankle Pumps
Move feet up, down and around in circles
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
This exercise is good for circulation. Good ankle movement is necessary for standing and balance.
Standing Exercises
Do these while standing next to the kitchen counter. Hold on with 1 or both hands. Do not do these while standing with a walker.
1. Knee flexion
Hold on to the counter. Lift one foot as shown in the picture. Do 10 times. Repeat 10 times with your other foot.
2. Hip Abduction
Hold on to the counter. Lift one leg out to the side 10 times. Repeat 10 times with your other leg.
3. Hip Extension
Hold onto counter. Kick leg behind you 10 times. Repeat 10 times with other leg.
Repeat _____ sets/day
4. Glute Sets (for posture)
Squeeze buttocks together. Hold___seconds. Gently arch back.
Repeat 5 times
5. Toe Rises
Hold on to the counter. Rise up on your toes and rock back on your heels.
Repeat ____ times, _____ times/day
6. Mini-Knee Bends
Hold on to the counter. Bend your knees and stand straight again. Do not bend so far that your knees hurt.
Repeat _____ times, _____ times/day
7. Heel-Toe Standing (for balance)
Stand beside counter. Hold on and look ahead. Place one foot directly in front of the other foot so they are in a straight line. Hold position for 10 seconds. Change position so other foot is in front. Hold for 10 seconds.
8. Sideways Walking
Hold on to the counter. Take 10 side steps to the right. Take 10 side steps to the left. Then side step back.
Repeat _____ times, _____ sets/day
As you get stronger - add weights to ankles and hands. Do the arm exercises in a standing position. Add a walking program 3-5 times a week. The goal is to get back to doing what you want to do and prevent falls.
Other recommendations:
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 03/19/2008
Copyright © 03/19/2008 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5885
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