Adults with Disabilities infographic

Percentage of adults ages 18-64 with disabilities who have 1 or more chronic diseases, by aerobic physical activity level

Mobility (Serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs): 57 Percent
Cognitive (Serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions): 40 Percent
Vision (Serious difficulty seeing, even wearing glasses): 36 Percent
Hearing (Serious difficulty hearing): 33 percent
No Disability (Does not have any of the above disability types): 26 Percent

START

Know the Physical Activity Guidelines
- The Physical
- Activity Guidelines are for everybody.
- www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/
- Review the patient's charts before each visit.
- Explain that adults of all shapes, sizes and abilities can benefit from being physically active.
- Encourage at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity physical activity.
Ask about physical activity
- How much physical activity are you currently doing each week?
- What types of physical activity do you enjoy?
- How can you add more physical activity in your life?
- Remember to look beyond the disability and put the person first. Use terms such as "person with a disability" instead of "disabled" or "handicapped person".
Discuss barriers to physical activity
- Physical Barriers
- Emotional Barriers
Recommend physical activity options
- Describe physical activity options based on patient's abilities.
- Brisk walking
- Wheeling oneself in wheelchair
- Swimming laps
- Water aerobics
- Hand-crank bicycle
- Wheelchair basketball, tennis, football, or softball
Refer patient to resources and programs
- Remember to use the "teach-back" method to make sure patient understands the recommendations.
- Refer patient to resources and programs to help them begin or maintain their physical activity.
- Check-in with patient about his or her activity level at every visit.

SOURCE: 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2008; Exercise is Medicine, 2014, http://exerciseismedicine.org.