Fluids and nutrients, or pureed foods, are supplied through a tube inserted into the stomach via the nasal passages or through the wall of the abdomen. Patients have the right to refuse tube feeding, either on their own, through written instructions like a living will, or through someone designated to act for them, just as they have the right to refuse any other form of medical treatment. Exercise Exercise continues to be important in later life. It improves cardiovascular fitness, may help slow the bone loss that occurs with osteoporosis, helps lower blood sugar in people with diabetes, and helps control cholesterol. In addition, exercise promotes weight loss, muscle strength, and a general feeling of well-being.
Studies suggest that lack of exercise contributes to frailness and weakness in elderly people.
Exercise can promote cardiovascular fitness by increasing the efficiency of the heart's function. As the body works, it requires more oxygen and the heart beats faster. Exercise increases the body's ability to use oxygen, which enables a person to exercise more without feeling tired. Exercise must reach a certain level to provide this benefit. The target heart rate can be a guide to reaching a level of exercise that provides cardiovascular fitness.