Focusing on physical fitness is one of the best things your elderly loved one can do at any age, and making a few lifestyle changes related to exercise and diet are some of the easiest ways to accomplish this. Here are a few tips to help your loved one implement these changes and stay fit.
Make Exercise Part of the Daily Routine
When exercise becomes a natural part of your loved one’s day, you likely won’t have to force him or her to do it. Schedule exercise for the time of day when your loved one has the most energy. For most seniors, the best time for physical activity is the morning, though this may vary depending on your loved one’s health.
If your loved one needs help exercising safely, hiring a home caregiver may be an ideal solution. Home care service 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.
Exercise as a Social Activity
If your loved one exercises with other people, there’s more motivation and support for him or her to stick with the exercise. Your loved one is also less likely to skip exercising if other people hold him or her accountable to staying fit. Encourage your loved one to gather a group of friends or neighbors for regularly scheduled walks, take an exercise class at the local gym, or even start an exercise group at church.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, hiring a respite caregiver to take over on occasion is a great option. Pearland 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, home care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Choose Enjoyable Activities
Exercise can feel like less of a chore and more of a fun activity if your loved one is doing something he or she likes. Seniors who enjoy gardening should make it a habit to tend to their gardens regularly, and competitive seniors can set up a weekly tennis match. For those who like quiet meditation, yoga is the perfect exercise.
Eat Healthy
It’s important for your loved one to eat according to dietary restrictions his or her doctor has specified. If your loved one overeats or becomes ill from eating the wrong foods, he or she won’t have the energy or desire to exercise. Keep your loved one’s consumption of carbohydrates and added sugars to a minimum by only providing recommended serving sizes.
Assistance with getting physically fit is just one of the benefits seniors receive when families enlist the help of trained professional caregivers. Pearland in-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 Assisting Hands Home Care Pearland to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.