Physical activity, as long as aging adults are cleared to move more often, is so helpful for seniors in terms of overall wellness. The key is whether seniors are getting enough physical activity and that they are doing so without possibly causing themselves injury. Senior home care providers can remind seniors to exercise and support them in moving more by helping them establish routines that incorporate movement.

Talk to Medical Providers First

Before aging adults do anything about exercise, especially if they’re not currently exercising, they need to talk to their doctors first. In some cases, seniors should avoid certain exercises or stick to a highly specific plan. If they don’t know that before starting a plan for moving more they might accidentally injure themselves or make a health issue worse.

Do a Mix of Different Activities

Trying out a variety of activities gives seniors a wealth of good results. Aerobic exercise, strength-building exercise, and balance activities all serve different purposes. They can help seniors to rebuild their muscles, keep their heart and lungs strong, and avoid a fall more readily. Having a regular rotation of activities keeps things interesting, too. Home care providers can help aging adults establish routines.

Make Exercise a Habit

When exercise is a habit, seniors are more likely to stick with it. Consistency helps to build results, so finding ways to build a habit of moving more means seniors are more likely to see the efforts of their work. Senior home care providers can help seniors notice what time of day is easiest and best for them to exercise in as well as other variables that make it easier to set up routines.

Track Activities

Tracking their workouts and how they feel can show seniors more progress than they expect. Keeping logs lets aging adults spot patterns, like when they eat more protein it’s easier to lift weights, for instance. Journals give them something to look back on and see that they’re doing better than they thought they were doing.

Keep Exercise Fun and Start Slowly

What really matters is that seniors have fun with movement. Exercise doesn’t have to be about going to the gym and doing exercises that are boring. Starting a garden, dancing for a few minutes every day, and stretching before bed could all be part of a well-rounded exercise plan. If seniors aren’t enjoying it, they’re not going to stick with it. It’s also a good idea for aging adults to start out with reasonable amounts of activity so they don’t wear themselves out too quickly.

The idea of what is “enough” physical activity may vary from one senior to another, but it’s important to get at least some movement in every day. Senior home care providers can work with aging adults to find activities they enjoy and to figure out when they get the best benefits from staying active. Approaching exercise from a positive perspective makes a difference in staying mobile and experiencing the benefits of all that movement.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Marysville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aging Assistant today at (916) 897-4752

James Ozsvath

Aging Assistant is a locally owned and operated in-home senior care provider, we are dedicated to helping our clients to remain in the home they love for as long as they can. Our caregiving staff are all warm and compassionate professionals, experienced in taking care of seniors in various stages of health. We handle a wide range of services, such as help with shopping, housekeeping, attending doctor’s appointments, and preparing meals. We also provide our clients with limited mobility or more intensive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia with the higher level of personal care that they require. Call our team now if you need help with a loved one's care.

See Full Bio