The community stroke rehabilitation team review how Jimmy is progressing. Jimmy tells them that he is now attending the gym five mornings a week. He feels that it is going well and that he no longer needs the support of the fitness instructor. In conversation with Debbie, Jimmy’s wife, the team discover that Jimmy sleeps most of the afternoon and is having difficulty sleeping at night. She has also noticed that as he has become more fatigued, his mood seems lower and she questions whether he should be going to the gym at all.
The team explore with Jimmy the above details further and discover that he has been exercising daily in the gym for an hour and a half without a break. He also walks to and from the gym rather than getting the bus because he thinks the more exercise he does the less the chance of having another stroke. He does admit to feeling a bit fed up.
Q. How do the team manage this situation? Select true or false for each of the options listed below.
Jimmy now understands that he needs to pace himself and get proper rest as many of his difficulties are associated with this.
Q. How do the team manage this situation? Select true or false for each of the options listed below.
Liaise with stroke nurse – True – the nurse would talk Jimmy through his beliefs and misconceptions.
Stop going to the gym and rest more – False – his graded exercise programme at the gym will aim to increase his stamina, strength and balance.
Review Jimmy’s gym exercise programme with him – True – the team need to identify exactly what Jimmy is doing at the gym and discuss modifications with the fitness instructor.
Encourage Jimmy to have a set rest time – True – Jimmy should identify one hour in the afternoon for a rest but this should be no longer. He should aim to reduce this.
Sleep as much as possible during the day to keep energy levels high – False – this may affect his ability to sleep at night, leading to a poor sleep pattern, short rest periods may be better.
Encourage Jimmy to visit his GP – True – the GP could review Jimmy’s general health and monitor his low mood.
Page last reviewed: 25 May 2021
