To live long, healthy lives, seniors need to adopt a number of habits, including remaining physically active. Even seniors who have been living sedentary lifestyles can still benefit by making the effort to become fit. For seniors embarking on physical fitness journeys, here are several tips that might be helpful.
1. Start Slowly
When starting an exercise routine or just becoming more physically active, seniors should limit their regimens to only one or two days a week. This way, the body gradually acclimates to the activity. Starting slowly also prevents premature burnout. Every week or two, they can add another fitness day to their routines.
Encourage your senior loved one to start by doing some type of exercise during TV commercials and build up to going for 20- or 30-minute walks. Along with adding active days, seniors need to slowly increase the intensity of the exercise in addition to the length of time.
If your loved one needs help with exercising safely, hiring a professional caregiver can be an ideal solution. Elderly home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
2. Set Goals
Help your loved one establish a goal for the week, the month, and the next six months. Put the list of goals on the refrigerator or in another location where they’ll be frequently noticed. Add one or more motivating pictures. Maybe your loved one enjoys cycling or jogging. Post a picture of someone who is enjoying the activity and is visibly fit.
A goal might involve returning to a previous weight. Pin up a photo of your loved one at that weight as a reminder. After your loved one achieves each goal, encourage setting the bar a little higher.
3. Monitor Progress
Keep track of the progress your loved one makes as frequently as desired. Record the number of steps walked each day, the type of exercise activity, and the number of repetitions performed. Add progress notes concerning weight loss or energy levels and strength gained. Document the achievements in a personal notebook or use a mobile app for easy reference. Celebrate the goals that are met or exceeded. Receiving encouragement and support along with experiencing the benefits may be enough incentive to keep your loved one interested in maintaining his or her physical health.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, hiring a professional caregiver to take over on occasion is a great option. Garland respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
4. Vary the Activities
No matter what exercise regimen your loved one chooses to adopt, it needs to include aerobic activity and strength training as well as exercises or activities that enhance balance and flexibility. Seniors can replace some of their lost muscle mass by performing some type of resistance activity two to three times each week. Strength training also increases bone density, which is vital for older adults. The training exercises might include walking with wrist and ankle weights.
5. Eat Healthy
For their bodies to have the energy to engage in exercise, seniors need to eat healthy foods. Meals containing lean meat, vegetables, and fruits provide the necessary fuel for the body to function. Healthy food is also needed for the body to recover and repair itself.
Assistance with physical fitness is just one of the benefits seniors receive when families enlist the help of trained professional caregivers. Garland home care service experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If your loved one needs professional care, Ambience In-Home Care is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (469) 535-6825 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.