Myth Busters

Myths 

•  Patients need to stay in bed to recover and get better 

•  It is not safe for patients to get out of bed 

•  Patients are not supposed to wash and dress themselves 

Staying in bed for too long and not engaging in normal activities of daily living, such as washing and dressing, can mean that you find it difficult to get back to doing these things. This is called ‘deconditioning’. 

Facts 

Lots of research shows that staying in bed is actually not the best way to recover, and can make recovery time longer. Staying in bed can lead to other problems, such as: 

•  Problems with your breathing 

•  Your skin can break down and cause pressure damage (bed sores) 

•  Your muscles lose strength and become weaker 

•  You lose independence with things such as personal care and dressing 

•  You may not digest food properly, causing stomach ache or constipation 

•  You may get confused 

•  You may lose self-confidence 

Benefits of staying active in hospital 

• Better breathing 

• Better ability to fight infections 

• Better appetite 

• Better sleep 

• Better mood 

• Better ability to cope at home 

• Less risk of bed sores 

• Less weakness and fatigue 

• Less dizziness 

• Less risk of falls 

• Less pain 

• Less confusion