Senior Services at The Miriam Hospital
The GENESIS Program
(Geriatric-friendly Environment through Nursing Evaluation and Specific Interventions for Successful healing)

Increasing Mobility

Often, older patients lose bone and muscle strength during their hospital stays because they spend most of the time in bed and are not walking enough. The GENESIS program incorporates activities to help patients remain active as possible during their stay at The Miriam Hospital.

The consequences of bed rest include:

  • Decreased muscle strength
  • Bone loss
  • Increased risk of falls
  • Increased risk of pressure sores
  • Inability to walk
  • Need for rehabilitation
  • Constipation

What patients need during their hospital stay:

  • Footwear—shoes with laces and non-skid soles
  • Eyeglasses
  • Hearing aids—in place during daytime hours
  • Prosthetics—at the bedside
  • Assistive devices—cane, walker, brace

There are mamy positive effects of keeping active while in the hospital:

  • There is less risk of falling
  • It maintains muscle strength
  • It maintains bone strength
  • It maintains balance
  • Exercise helps maintain appetite
  • Exercise helps prevent constipation
  • More activity may shorten the length of the patient's stay

The GENESIS program promotes mobility by:

  • Offering assistance with walking four times each day
  • Providing the use of assistive devices such as walkers and canes for those who need them
  • Avoiding medications that increase the risk of falls, when possible helping patients.

For more information about the GENESIS program, please call Lisa Baumhover, RN, geriatric clinical nurse specialist, at 401-793-3616.

Back    |  More about the GENESIS Program

 

Lifespan | 167 Point Street Providence | RI 02903 | ©2008 Lifespan | Terms of Use