Exercising is vital to a senior’s cognitive health and physical wellbeing. However, adding the most complicated activities to your aging loved one’s workout routine could increase the risk of injuries and severe accidents. Therefore, you should promote safe exercises and encourage your loved one to avoid the physical activities listed below.
1. Running Stairs
Going up and down the stairs throughout the day provides the physical movement the body needs to boost bone health. However, running the stairs can cause the heart to work overtime and increase the risk of a stroke. Therefore, your loved one should avoid running the stairs as a form of exercise. Instead, he or she should choose a low-impact activity.
2. Boxing
This exercise has many benefits, but it could lead to cardiovascular issues for older adults. High-impact activities like boxing also increase the risk of head traumas, which can cause the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Working out with a speed bag is a healthier alternative.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Ambience 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.
3. Overhead Presses
Simple weightlifting techniques could strengthen your loved one’s hand muscles and coordination, allowing him or her to complete more daily activities independently. However, overhead presses pose greater risks for older adults. When seniors grow older, their muscles shrink, and doing overhead presses puts the bulk of the pressure on the shoulders. Due to muscle shrinkage and decreased mobility, your loved one is at higher risk for back injuries and shoulder or neck pain when completing overhead presses.
4. Spinning
Although spinning classes give seniors the ability to socialize and burn calories, the activity could be dangerous. Spinning can overwork the kidneys and increase the odds of cardiac arrest and renal failure. Riding a traditional bicycle through the neighborhood or a local park is less complicated for older adults and reduces the risk of injuries.
Many seniors are able to safely enjoy numerous types of exercise, especially when they have the help of trained professional caregivers. At-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.
5. Crunches
Crunches are challenging exercises, especially for seniors. Doing this activity incorrectly can twist the body and increase the risk of a pinched nerve, which can cause excruciating pain. Losing mobility in the spine is common for older adults, which is why they should avoid exercises like crunches that can put extra stress on the neck and lower back. Instead of crunches, encourage your loved one to do planks, which prevent excessive strain on the muscles and lower the odds of spinal injuries.
6. Standing Toe Touches
Bending over and holding the stretching position for too long can decrease mobility and lead to high blood pressure. The joints connecting the lower back and hips become weaker with age, and doing standing toe touches could make your loved one more susceptible to injuries and fractures. Stretching exercises provide aging adults with more flexibility, which is why your parent should look for alternative activities, such as calf stretches.
Seniors who need help exercising safely can benefit from the help of trained professional caregivers. Ambience elderly home care 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. Ambience In-Home Care can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (469) 573-4213 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.