Aging adults must continue to adapt their fitness plans to fit their changing abilities and needs as they get older. At times, seniors may get excited about boosting their fitness levels, but they can also lose their motivation if they fail to see results. You can use these tips to help your aging loved one maintain his or her physical fitness no matter where he or she is on the journey toward better health.
1. Address Their Fears
Seniors sometimes stop working hard on fitness when they hit setbacks that cause them to worry about making things worse. Pay attention if your loved one suddenly stops doing favorite exercises such as dancing or walking, as this could be a signal that he or she is afraid of falling or getting hurt. Talk to your loved one about his or her fears and look for solutions. For instance, your loved one might prefer working out with a group of people who can help in the event he or she falls.
A professional caregiver can assist with exercise and reduce the risk of falls. When researching agencies that provide Home Care, Naples families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care.
2. Track Their Stats
Seeing the results of hard work is a huge motivator. Once your loved one has a renewed commitment to fitness, start tracking his or her health changes. Use a chart to record things such as blood pressure and glucose levels so your loved one can see the progress over the course of a week or a month. You can also track progress by measuring your loved one’s body or using a scale to monitor his or her weight. Just make sure to focus on the positive. It’s natural to see some weeks when not much changes, but these are often followed by a leap in progress.
3. Walk the Walk
Seniors need to know others value a healthy lifestyle. Don’t just sit there telling your loved one to go exercise when you can offer to do it together. You can also support your loved one by eating healthier meals together or splitting a restaurant meal in half.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
4. Create a Well-Rounded Plan
Physical fitness also involves other factors, such as eating a healthy diet and taking care of mental health. For example, a depressed senior is more likely to skip workouts. Make sure your loved one has help planning meals so he or she has the energy to work out and proper nutrition for building strength. Your loved one may also need to spend time socializing or talking to a counselor to address mental health issues that interfere with physical fitness.
5. Tap into the Inner Child
Children often prefer spending their time engaged in active play because most of their forms of exercise are fun. Think about some activities your loved one might have enjoyed as a child and adapt them to fit his or her abilities. Your loved one can still enjoy a game of catch from a wheelchair to work out the upper body. Alternatively, your loved one may enjoy batting a balloon around the house. Making exercise fun is sure to shift your loved one’s mindset about fitness.
Some family caregivers don’t have time to help their aging relatives with exercise and other important tasks. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality homecare, Naples Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. Give us a call today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
