The secret to feeling better and living longer is staying active. Finding a workout routine that works for your aging loved one and helping them stick with it can pay big dividends. Regular exercise helps older people stay independent and may even prevent diabetes, heart trouble, arthritis pain, anxiety and depression. When it comes to our aging loved ones, the right workout is crucial. You don’t want to push too hard, but it’s important to get our loved ones moving.
You are never too old to start exercising. In fact, exercise only gets more important with advancing age. Research shows that no matter what your age, you stand to gain improvements in strength, balance, bone density and mental clarity through exercise. No matter our age, it’s important to keep exercise in mind. Working on your fitness not only improves your physical health, but also your mental health. Working out, even on a minimum level, can greatly decrease stress and anxiety levels.
Here are some tips on senior work outs:
Whenever possible, break up the exercise and workout routine. You don’t have to get all of your physical activities in at once. Take time outs and break up routines into smaller segments. This will help keep seniors from getting tired of one activity, as well as help mix up their routine.
When it comes to beginning a regular exercise routine, remember to begin slowly. Start with exercises that your senior loved one is already doing comfortably. Starting slowly makes it less likely they will injure themselves. Starting slowly also prevents soreness. Walking is an excellent activity to start with. Whenever possible, join in. Your aging loved one isn’t the only one who should be working on their fitness. Join in! Motivation is crucial when it comes to getting more active, so encourage your clients by working out by their side.
Swimming is also a low-impact exercise that is pretty fun to do. If a nearby pool or community offers open swim for adults, see if your loved one might be interested. It’s a great way to exercise and not too hard on the joints.
Make working out fun for your aging loved one. Working out does not have to be a downer. Even sitting in a chair can be transformed into a workout routine with the right creativity and motivation. It is worth noting that it is important to check with a physician before starting any regular exercise programs.
You may not see your aging loved one pumping iron at the gym every day, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be conscious about their physical health. If you would like to learn more about the many benefits of caring and consistent in-home senior care and professional dementia and Alzheimer’s care, call Senior Helpers to speak to an elderly care specialist today 423-710-1500! Senior Helpers of Chattanooga provides a wide range of services including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, companionship, personal assistance, and so much more to all areas of Chattanooga, Hixson, Cleveland, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain.