Hi there all! I work as a PA with a client who has almost zero mobility due to their MS. They have use of their arms but this has weakened over the years and the fine motor skills in hand dexterity is poor (they cannot write anymore, they cannot control the finer movements of holding a glass and having a drink anymore).
I've been encouraging them to exercise to maintain what control they do have because any further reduction in mobility would mean they could not drive their power-chair and this would be devastating. So I'm looking for any exercise ideas/ tips/ equipment please!
The biggest problem seems to be the hot-flashes. When they get too hot their muscles go so weak and just give up. So I've been working at environmental control and keeping a cold drink on stand by to try help them cool down and this does help.
I've ordered and tried them on using the foam ball, hand exercisers (like a stress ball) and they don't like those - they say they are too hard and hurt their hands. Is there anything softer than this? A better brand maybe?
When laying down, they can push up (like an air punch) a very light dumbbell (I am always present when they do this and support the weight to as to prevent it dropping on them if their arms go weak) but they would like to have more independence and do a little bit for themselves - any suggestions?
Also, they have expressed the desire to work on the muscles in the biceps but their wrists are really weak and doing a bicep curl isn't possible with the weights they do have. I was laughed at when I suggested to them to try something lighter like a tin of beans
- Are there any no weight bicep workouts anyone could suggest?
I have advised massage as an aid for muscle relief as they do suffer from a lot of tenseness - has anyone tried this and has it benefited?
Thankies!
I've been encouraging them to exercise to maintain what control they do have because any further reduction in mobility would mean they could not drive their power-chair and this would be devastating. So I'm looking for any exercise ideas/ tips/ equipment please!
The biggest problem seems to be the hot-flashes. When they get too hot their muscles go so weak and just give up. So I've been working at environmental control and keeping a cold drink on stand by to try help them cool down and this does help.
I've ordered and tried them on using the foam ball, hand exercisers (like a stress ball) and they don't like those - they say they are too hard and hurt their hands. Is there anything softer than this? A better brand maybe?
When laying down, they can push up (like an air punch) a very light dumbbell (I am always present when they do this and support the weight to as to prevent it dropping on them if their arms go weak) but they would like to have more independence and do a little bit for themselves - any suggestions?
Also, they have expressed the desire to work on the muscles in the biceps but their wrists are really weak and doing a bicep curl isn't possible with the weights they do have. I was laughed at when I suggested to them to try something lighter like a tin of beans

I have advised massage as an aid for muscle relief as they do suffer from a lot of tenseness - has anyone tried this and has it benefited?
Thankies!
