Keeping seniors inspired to exercise can sometimes be a challenge. Your aging loved one may hesitate to start working out if he or she has been mostly sedentary for the past several years or dislikes exercise because of joint pain. Whatever your loved one’s reasons are for skipping workouts, you can bring up the following benefits of exercise to get him or her motivated to move more.
1. Increase Energy Levels
Your loved one may seem too tired to exercise. However, research shows exercising gives seniors more energy throughout the day. Try starting out with a gentle exercise routine that helps your loved one see how much better he or she feels when starting the day with strategic movements.
2. Stimulate the Appetite
Seniors sometimes experience a lack of appetite when they don’t expend enough energy during the day, which can make it difficult for them to get enough nutrients. Doing some form of exercise about an hour before each meal may get your loved one hungry enough to clean his or her plate.
A home caregiver can help your loved one exercise in safety and comfort. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior care. Anchorage, AK, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
3. Engage in Social Activity
Exercising in groups provides seniors with benefits they won’t get from doing workouts alone at home. Seniors who spend time exercising with others get the sense they’re doing something good with people they like. Your loved one can take a walk with a companion or join a gym to enjoy this benefit.
4. Build a Strong Core
Seniors begin to lose muscle strength as they age, and the old adage “use it or lose it” applies here. Your loved one can do simple things to increase his or her core strength, such as performing leg lifts while sitting in a chair. Having a strong core can increase your loved one’s sense of balance, lowering the risk of a major fall. Strong core muscles also increase back strength, so your loved one may experience fewer instances of chronic pain.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Anchorage, AK, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
5. Prevent Injuries
Stretching is a simple exercise just about every senior can do. Some seniors may need assistance with moving certain parts of their bodies, but they should be able to feel the effects of stretching right away. A daily morning stretch can get your loved one’s muscles warmed up and limber so he or she isn’t as likely to be injured during minor instances of strain.
6. Establish a Positive Mindset
Older adults enjoy working toward goals that fill them with a sense of purpose. Try helping your loved one establish a few things to work on physically. For instance, your parent may want to accomplish walking a full mile in one session or increase his or her reach during flexibility training. Working toward a goal allows seniors to feel happy about their accomplishments. Exercise can also reduce feelings of depression and anxiety so your loved one can feel better overall each day.
Hiring an in-home caregiver can be a wonderful solution if your loved one needs companionship and help with exercising. Homecare services 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. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (907) 770-0907 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.