March 24th, 2016

Becoming More Active on National Walking Day

Home Care in Evanston IL

Keeping your aging parent physically active is one of the most important things that you can do while being her family caregiver. Getting enough exercise supports not only physical health and wellbeing, but ongoing mental, emotional, and cognitive health as well. April 6 is National Walking Day, the perfect opportunity for you to being more activity into your routine with this approachable, effective exercise.

Walking is an exercise that nearly anyone can do. Even if your parent is dealing with mobility issues that make it difficult for her to walk on her own for a considerable distance can benefit from walking. Walking with you or with an in home health care services provider can be a wonderful way for her to get out of the house, get fresh air, and improve her health and well-being.

​Let these ideas inspire you for ways that you can add more activity to your routine on National Walking Day:

• Explore the neighborhood. The weather has started warming up, so now is a fantastic time to get out and explore the neighborhood. If you are accustomed to taking a certain route when taking your walks, change it up. Walk down a different street or go a little further. See all of the new sights and see if you can discover anything interesting.

• Visit a new park. Research your area to find out if there are any public parks nearby. These parks let you see beautiful plants and trees, and may even give you a glimpse of some animals. Especially if you have the opportunity to walk on more natural terrain rather than pavement, parks work out your muscles and joints in a different way.

• Offer support. A senior who is dealing with mobility issues such as balance problems or arthritis may not feel like she can walk far. This does not mean, however, that she cannot enjoy a walk. Bring along a mobility device such as a wheelchair to act as a backup system. Encourage your parent to walk as far as she can. When she gets tired, use the wheelchair to get coming so that she can still enjoy the fresh air and sunlight.

• Keep track. Start a more active lifestyle by investing in a fitness tracker. These simple, wearable devices allow your parent to keep track of how far she walks, how many calories she has burned, and how far she is progressing toward her goals. Use this tool to set further goals for her and help her to pursue them. This fitness tracker can be a great way for her to look at pursuing her goals like a competition with herself. As she sees herself progressing, she will want to continue even further.

As with any time that your parent is heading out, make sure that she is properly prepared. Comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather, supportive, well-fitting shoes, and proper sun protection are essential for keep her safe and healthy throughout her walks.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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