It may take some serious effort to convince a senior loved one who never displayed a passion for exercise to make it a habit now that he or she is older. Fortunately, there are some productive ways to motivate seniors to get some regular exercise. Here are some simple tips you can employ yourself to boost your loved one’s physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
Focus on Social Benefits
Focusing on the opportunities for socialization may convince seniors to at least give some group activities a try. There are many community-based programs designed specifically for seniors, with opportunities ranging from water aerobics classes to low-impact strength training. Seniors who need help exercising should consider professional in-home care.Home careexperts 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.
Use Relevant Stats
If you want to use stats to motivate your loved one, stick to facts that are relevant to his or her lifestyle. For instance, you could explain that regular exercise can make it easier to walk around the mall without assistance or get outside to tend the garden.
Participate with Your Parent
Take some time to show your loved one how to do some basic exercises, making modifications as necessary to match his or her physical abilities. Consider taking a fitness class with your loved one, or get the whole family involved and schedule a regular day of exercise at a local park. The extra support can provide the push your loved one needs to become more involved. Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one receives motivation to exercise. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated home care service, Des Moines, IA, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
Let Your Loved One Select Activities
Emphasize the fact that exercise can be fun. Talk with your loved one and make a list of activities he or she is interested in doing, whether it’s learning some yoga moves or taking up ballroom dancing. Take the list to the doctor for approval. If some activities aren’t approved, see if there are acceptable modifications that can be made.
Track the Progress
Sometimes motivation comes from seeing the results of your efforts. For instance, taking a pedometer while walking can allow your loved one to see daily progress. There are also plenty of mobile apps your loved one can use to track real-time stats like calories burned. Motivating seniors to exercise more often can be a challenging task. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Des Moines, IA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at (515) 264-2438 today.
