Tips for Helping an Elderly Family Member Maintain an Active Lifestyle
Filed under: Home Healthcare
As a person ages, it is common for activity levels to decrease over time. Even people who were athletic and energetic in their younger years will start to slow down as they get older. But, decreased activity levels can have a negative impact on overall health, so it is important that you are proactive to encourage elderly family members to stay active throughout the week.
Why Does Exercise Matter for the Elderly?
Exercise is important for many reasons, and these health benefits can be enjoyed at any stage in life. Physical activity decreases the risk of certain illnesses and diseases, and it also helps to keep the body mobile and stable. When a person spends too much time in sedentary activities, muscle tone is lost which increases the risk of injury from a fall.
Additionally, inactivity can lead to obesity, which is connected with a number of serious health problems. The best way to prevent obesity is by maintaining an active lifestyle and eating the right types of foods.
Elderly Exercise Activities
Physical activities for the elderly are often quite different than exercise techniques that are used for younger people. If you are trying to encourage an elderly family member to exercise, these are a few options that you might suggest:
- Elderly fitness classes, often called “Silver Sneakers” at local gyms and recreation centers
- Going for a walk around the block
- Walking up and down the stairs
- Water aerobics classes
- Yoga or Tai Chi
- Chair exercises, led by a trainer
When an elderly person is enrolled in an elder care program, then they will likely have exercise routines added into their schedule. If you are caring for the family member on your own, then you will need to make an effort to find activities and classes for the person to participate in.
Many people find it difficult to keep up with the rigors of caring for their elderly family member, and they start looking for a senior living center nearby. There are many advantages to these assisted living centers, especially since there are activities planned throughout the day to keep the patients engaged and active. Another option is to hire in-home care, which will off-set your responsibilities of caring for your family member in your home.
If you are interested in learning more about assisted living and in-home care, then contact Rebecca Prouty at Always Best Care today: (951) 375-4588
