by Ian Kay Faa, Romblon News/PR | Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) conducted a one-day training for basic physical therapy exercises to family caregivers of patients of the Damian Reyes Provincial Hospital under the telemedicine program in the province of Marinduque.
“The importance of this training is to impart the essential therapy exercises to family caregivers so that they may continue the various exercises being given to the patient at the hospital and resume it at home after they are discharged,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo emphasized.
“The continuity of these exercises is important for the recovery of the patient that is why immediate members of the patient’s family were included in the training,” he added.
There were nine participants for the first batch of the “Transfer of Physical Therapy Skills to Caregivers of Telemedicine Patients Training” initiated by the OIC-Chief of Hospital, Dr. Ruby Ephraim M. Rubiano, also the head of the Health Facilities Operations and Development Unit of the DOH-MIMAROPA.
A set of exercises known as “Range of Motion” were instructed with the objective of decreasing pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints of the body. It also helps in the circulation of blood and physical movement of the body.
The “Range of motion” is the amount of movement in each joint. It is related to flexibility and is an important part of an training exercise program.
Janairo added that most patients have families that are providing some level of care and support from bathing, dressing, and taking medications to tube feeding and ventilator care. “It is important that these individuals be given the proper information to be able to provide proper care and receive guidance from the formal health care providers”.
He assured that the training will be extended to all caregivers of the region as part of the commitment of the health department to develop the skills and strengthen the capabilities of health workers for them to become an effective partner in the delivery of basic health services to the community.
“Caregivers must be prepared for their family member’s discharged from a hospital. They should be directed to cope with the emotional and physical challenges during the critical period of recovery. Caregiving is a demanding work, they should be given due importance and recognition for them to become productive,” Janairo concluded.
Family caregivers are also called informal caregivers such as a family member, friend, or neighbor who provides care to an individual who has an acute or chronic condition who needs assistance.
