Aging adults need to exercise on a regular basis. Whether they have mobility limitations or they’re still quite active, seniors can find exercise routines that suit their unique needs. Here are several exercises your older loved one can do in the comfort of home.
Lifting Light Weights
With light weight training, aging adults can boost muscle mass and increase bone density without putting too much stress on their muscles. Lifting weights can also strengthen ligaments and tendons, reduce pain from arthritis, and increase range of motion. Your loved one can use hand weights to do exercises such as arm raises and shoulder presses. If your parent doesn’t have weights, common household items, such as one-pound cans of soup or 16-ounce water bottles, will work just fine.
Seniors who need assistance with exercising or other daily tasks can benefit from professional in-home care. Senior 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.
Aerobics
Your loved one doesn’t have to join a gym to benefit from aerobic exercise. If he or she needs some ideas for exercise routines, check out the huge variety of DVDs and YouTube videos designed especially for seniors. Aging adults who want to get aerobic exercise on their own can do knee lifts or jumping jacks for five minutes at a time. The ultimate goal is to boost cardiovascular health by raising the heart rate and getting the blood pumping.
Yoga
As people age, their joints often become less flexible. Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise for seniors who want to stay limber because it focuses on flexibility, strength, and balance. Your parent can do classic yoga poses, such as warrior, downward facing dog, and seated forward bend. Elderly people who have mobility limitations can benefit from doing chair yoga.
Gardening
Planting, watering, and clipping can offer older adults moderate daily exercise that increases coordination, muscle health, and overall physical wellness. Gardening and being out in nature can help seniors relax and reduce their stress levels.
Walking
Your loved one doesn’t have to leave the house to enjoy the health benefits of walking. He or she can strap on a step counter, crank up some music, and power walk through the house or in the backyard. To maximize the fitness benefits of walking, your parent should lift his or her knees and pump his or her arms with each step.
If your loved one needs help walking, exercising, or managing daily tasks, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Carmichael 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.
Sit-Ups
Strengthening their core muscles can help seniors boost their balance and coordination, relieve back pain, and lower their risk of injury. Sit-ups are an ideal way for older adults to increase core strength. Aging adults should begin by lying on their backs with their knees bent. They should then place their hands behind their heads and gently lift their heads upward while engaging their abdominal muscles.
Some seniors have health conditions or other limitations that make it difficult to exercise and handle daily activities without assistance. Carmichael senior 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. Call Home Care Assistance at (916) 485-4663 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.