​Four Big Things to Remember about Your Senior and Exercise

Elder Care Lake Forest IL - Four Big Things to Remember about Your Senior and Exercise

Moving regularly is important for people of all ages, but it can be especially important for your aging family member. A regular daily movement practice helps her to keep her body as strong as possible and it can be a great way for her to manage some health issues. 

Get Medical Approval First 

Your senior’s doctor needs to be the first stop after she decides she wants to move more. Her doctor can give your senior detailed information about the types of exercise that she should be doing and can also help her to understand her limitations around exercise. This is vital because exercise is about helping her to feel better and to have a better quality of life. Exercise isn’t about making her work out to the point of injury. 

Find More than One Type of Exercise 

When your senior is starting out, she might go with one type of exercise. But each main category of exercise offers different results and accomplishes different goals. Strength training builds her muscles and balance and flexibility exercises can help her to become more limber and avoid a fall. Cardio exercises strengthen her lungs and her heart. All of these types of movement accomplish something very important. 

Explore and Get Creative 

As your elderly family member gets more comfortable with moving more, she might be more interested in trying a variety of exercises. For example, she might have wanted to try walking as her only cardio, but as she becomes stronger she might want to try out the stationary bike. Finding new ways to have fun with exercise can be wonderful for her mental health and her outlook toward exercise. 

Exercise Doesn’t Have to Be All about Pushing 

Your elderly family member really needs to understand that exercise does not have to be about exhaustion and pushing herself to the edge of her limits. Relaxation activities can be part of her daily movement practice. Tai chi is a great way to stretch, to improve her balance, and to practice breathing exercises. Even if that’s the only exercise she’s doing, she can accomplish a lot and she’s not wearing herself out. 

If your senior lives alone, it might be a good idea to consider bringing in elder care providers to spend time with her while she works out. Elder care aides can offer companionship and help to ensure that she’s safe, too. If she needs help with other aspects of life, they’ve got her covered. 

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

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