Exercise is almost always a good idea for older adults. Think moving more rather than training for a triathlon, though. Always be sure that you talk with your senior’s doctor before starting up a new exercise plan so that you can ensure she’s staying within her abilities.
Streaming Exercise Videos
Since more and more people are exercising at home, there are so many more options online for exercise. Everything from tai chi to aerobics are exercises that your senior can learn about and try from the comfort of her own home. There are plenty of choices from free options to paid programs, and many of them cater to older adults specifically. If your elderly family member would prefer something on videotape or DVD, then it might be a good idea to check with your local library. They often have lots of different exercise content, and your senior can try a variety of different activities to find the ones that she enjoys the most.
Walking Is Easy and Needs No Equipment
The very easiest exercise for your senior to try might be as simple as walking. This is something that can be done at home, walking in place during commercial breaks. Or she can even walk on a treadmill or around the neighborhood. Finding walking paths in your senior’s town can be a great idea if she needs walks to be a little more exciting. They can also be a great way to ramp up once she’s built up some stamina and some muscle tone from walking more regularly. Having several different options can give her enough variety to account for things like weather and what she feels like on any given day.
Anything That’s Fun
The bottom line is that exercise is all about your senior moving her body a little more. In order to do that most effectively, your senior needs to enjoy what she’s doing and find it to be fun. Anything that involves putting in effort and working her muscles can absolutely count as exercise. That means that tending her garden, walking around watering flowers and plants, can be a form of exercise. Having a dance party with the grandkids can also count. Becoming more active is easier when your elderly family member is focusing on having as much fun as she can.
It’s a good idea for your senior to have someone there with her when she’s being more active, especially if she’s had some mobility issues. Senior care providers can help her to be as mobile as possible, while also ensuring that she’s safe.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING SENIOR CARE IN HENDERSON, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.