Staying physically active in the senior years could boost your elderly parent’s health by lowering the risk of stress, heart disease, and other age-related problems. Therefore, you need to find ways for your loved one to work out safely, even if he or she has cognitive issues or mobility limitations. Continue reading to learn about the various reasons seniors should exercise regularly.
Enhances Emotional Health
During exercise, the brain produces chemicals that promote relaxation. Encourage your loved one to take up a physical activity such as dancing or yoga. The exercise could immediately increase the production of endorphins and prevent combative behavior. Higher levels of serotonin are also produced when older adults exercise, lowering their odds of depression.
If you have concerns about your loved one’s ability to exercise safely, consider hiring a trained professional caregiver to provide assistance. 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.
Reduces the Risk of Diabetes
Impaired pancreatic islet function and insulin resistance are common issues for older adults, but a healthy exercise regimen could lower the risk of diabetes by promoting healthier blood sugar levels. When elderly people take on physical activities such as dancing, walking, and cycling, the insulin sensitivity in their cells increases, and they have less difficulty maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.
Regular moderate exercise also helps aging adults burn calories and stave off obesity, which could reduce their odds of developing diabetes. If your parent is diagnosed with diabetes, he or she should continue exercising to address the condition and lower the chances of developing long-term complications.
Leads to Stronger Bone Health
The more your loved one works out, the less likely he or she is to develop conditions that make it more challenging to maintain independence. When your loved one exercises regularly, he or she can boost reaction speed, reduce joint and muscle pain, and increase metabolism.
Exercising can also stave off conditions such as arthritis. Keep in mind that reduced mobility doesn’t have to prevent seniors from exercising. Even with poor motor function, your loved one can continue to customize the physical activities he or she takes on each week. Simplifying your loved one’s exercise routine doesn’t stop him or her from burning calories or reducing the amount of weight and pressure placed on the bones.
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. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Carmichael, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Staves Off Cardiovascular Disease
One of the most common conditions among aging adults is cardiovascular disease. Heart issues account for a large number of hospital readmissions and doctor visits among seniors. The good news is that older adults can adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising to boost their heart health and overall wellbeing.
When your loved one moves the muscles in his or her body—whether he or she is lifting weights, running, or doing wall push-ups—the exercises can help the heart pull oxygen from the blood more efficiently and effectively. Physical workouts can also increase levels of HDL, which is the good cholesterol that increases circulation and boosts heart function. As a result, your parent may have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Assistance with exercising safely is just one of the benefits seniors receive when families enlist the help of trained professional caregivers. Carmichael homecare services 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. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (916) 485-4663 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.