In-home senior care takes special understanding and patience, especially when caring for a loved one with mobility issues. On top of ensuring their health and safety, it is important to help encourage motivation and greater activity levels to reap all the associated benefits. Below are four key methods caregivers can use to create more motivation and engender increased physical activity among seniors with limited mobility.
First, What Are the Benefits of Increased Activity Levels in Seniors?
When it comes to physical well-being, increasing activity levels can help seniors maintain muscle mass and strength, as well as balance. It reduces the risk of fractures through improved bone density and develops greater endurance.
On the mental side, feel-good neurotransmitter hormones such as serotonin are generated more when taking part in activities. This allows for an overall improved sense of happiness. Emotions like loneliness can be decreased too due to increased social interaction from engaging with friends or family members while doing leisurely activities that they enjoy.
Find Activities They Enjoy
The best way to promote physical activity among senior loved ones is by finding types of leisure they enjoy that are physically just above their current limits. Moderating the difficulty level encourages them to keep trying and creates a feeling of accomplishment once completed. This inspires a sense of pride in themselves.
Set Achievable Goals
When coming up with activity plans, set achievable goals that take into account the senior's mobility levels. Doing so will inspire them to strive and push themselves without making it overwhelming or discouraging them when they fail in meeting outcomes. The line between challenging and attainable is important to find.
Utilize Adaptive Equipment
Adaptive equipment makes it easier for seniors with mobility issues to participate in activities without worrying about physical strain. There are numerous aid types on the market for any activity. Manual wheelchairs, walkers and canes that fit comfortably and provide necessary support should be located to ensure a satisfactory experience. You can even have your loved one try chair exercises so they can sit rather than stand to make the movements easier.
Take Advantage of Community Resources
There are plenty of organizations that provide outreach programs and activities specifically catered towards seniors with limited mobility, like parks offering fitness trails. Taking full advantage of such resources is essential to create a proper game plan for your senior loved one and encouraging greater activity. If you need help locating these opportunities, ask your doctors or reach out to Senior Helpers Milwaukee today.
Consult With Senior Helpers Milwaukee
If you need assistance with finding activities and resources for your senior loved one experiencing limited mobility, do not hesitate to consult the professionals at Senior Helpers in Milwaukee. Our team of highly skilled, knowledgeable staff throughout the Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee, Germantown, Brookfield, and Glendale can provide tailor-made solutions for each unique case so that those dealing with age-related illnesses get access to all the necessary elements for living a fulfilled life. Get started by giving us a call today!