Home Care Can Monitor a Senior’s Safety While Exercising
One of the best tools that seniors have to stay healthy as they age is exercise. Movement of any kind is good, but the CDC recommends that seniors get at least 30 minutes of brisk activity most days of the week. For seniors that are aging in place that means exercising at home. And seniors who are exercising at home need to be sure that they are exercising safely. If your senior parent has a home care provider that provider can help make sure that your loved one is getting the exercise they need in a safe way.
You and home care aides can also help your senior parent stay exercise safely by making sure they follow these safety tips:
Warm Up And Cool Down
Home Care Westfield NJ – Home Care Can Monitor a Senior’s Safety While Exercising
It can take some time for the body to get ready for a brisk activity. That’s why seniors should always start any activity with a warm period of at least five minutes. Stretching and gentle movement during the warm up will help seniors avoid injury during their exercise. And after exercising they should cool down with more gentle activity and stretching for a few minutes to allow their heart rate to return to normal slowly.
Keep It Simple
For seniors simple exercises are the best. Walking, swimming, and cycling are great activities for seniors that have significant health benefits. Golf, tai chi, and tennis are also good activities for seniors. So is strength training. Seniors don’t need to jump on the latest fitness fads or try complicated workouts to improve their health. Stick to the time tested basics and just get moving. A home care provider can be a great source of encouragement for seniors to get active by going on walks with them or helping them to get to the pool for a swim.
Wear Appropriate Clothing And Shoes
Elderly people do have a high risk of falling. More than 3 million seniors are treated for falls every year. To help prevent falls seniors should always wear proper shoes for whatever activity they are doing and proper clothing too. Clothing should be seasonally appropriate and should include hats and sunscreen as well as layers of clothing. If you’re not sure what clothing your elderly parent needs for working out ask their home care provider for recommendations. A home care provider will also be able to remind your senior loved one to wear sunscreen, hats, gloves, and other clothing that they might need to stay safe while exercising.
Get Doctor’s Approval Before Starting A New Activity
It’s always best to check in with your senior parent’s doctor before they start a new activity or start a new workout routine. Your senior loved one’s doctor can give you recommendations for activities that are appropriate for your loved one and track their progress by performing regular weight and vitals checks. Once their doctor has approved their workout plan then your loved one can get busy getting activity at least five days a week.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care Services in Westfield NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.
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