Staying physically and mentally active can protect an elderly loved one’s physical and mental health.
Unfortunately, for elderly people who live alone, there is a greater risk of reduced physical, social, and mental activity needed to enhance health and quality of life.
Hiring a home caregiver can give your loved one the added boost they need to stay active. A home caregiver is an expert in elder care.
They can provide mental and social stimulation, which is crucial to reducing your loved one’s risk of isolation and depression.
They can also help your loved one stay safe and reduce their risk of a fall during exercise and other physical activity.
Here are some tips for keeping seniors active while they receive in-home care.
Make Sure Your Loved One Understands the Importance of Staying Active
Before you institute any major changes to your loved one’s routine, make sure they understand the value in physical and mental activity.
Some people may be resistant to change, or feel that others are trying to take control over their home and routine.
Your loved one will be less likely to follow your advice if they feel they don’t have a say, or that their autonomy or independence is being threatened. Broach the subject in a general way at first to avoid seeming controlling.
Explain to your loved one why you feel concerned, and then go over some of the benefits of staying active:
- Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers
- Improved strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and mobility
- Lower risk of a fall, injury, or accident
- Increased independence and ability to care for themselves
- Higher energy levels and improved mood and outlook on life
- Greater overall quality of life
- Improved bone density
- Greater cognitive function and lower risk of cognitive decline
- Improved ability to care for themselves as well as their home, plants or garden, and pets
Brainstorm a Realistic Weekly Routine
Next, work with your loved one and their home caregiver to brainstorm a realistic daily routine.
If your loved one hasn’t gotten any physical activity in a while, they should start slow.
Aim for about 20 minutes of light physical activity at least three times per week to start.
As your loved one finds activities they enjoy and they build greater strength and endurance, increase the frequency to 20-35 minutes each day.
Prioritize Health and Safety
Any changes to your loved one’s physical activity levels should be approved by their physician.
Consider your loved one’s health and safety when creating a schedule or suggesting activities.
Certain health conditions, injuries, or symptoms of aging could affect your loved one’s energy, stamina, and strength.
You’ll want to make sure that you have the right equipment and safety gear to reduce the risk of an accident, and that both your loved one and their caregiver are able to ensure activities are done in the safest way possible.
Consider scheduling a home safety evaluation to make sure your loved one’s home is safe and to reduce the risk of a fall or injury during exercise.
Choose the Right Type of Exercise
Depending upon your loved one’s age, health, and abilities, you can find safe, simple ways to encourage daily physical movement.
Even if you aren’t home with them, a caregiver can provide mobility assistance and guidance to ensure your loved one stays safe while getting the physical exercise they need.
Make sure they have a complete picture of your loved one’s health, including any medical conditions, injuries, illnesses, and symptoms that could affect their safety during physical activity.
Some of the best exercises and activities for seniors are:
- Light stretching or gentle yoga poses
- Short walks
- Gardening
- Golfing
- Chair exercises
- Water aerobics
Check in Regularly for Updates
While a caregiver can help your loved one stay safe while getting the physical activity they need, you should also be involved in the process.
Check in with your loved one and their caregiver regularly to get updates. If there are challenges or roadblocks, you can brainstorm ways to overcome them.
If your loved one is struggling with changes to their routine or is resistant to daily exercise, you may need to find creative solutions.
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Mental Stimulation
In addition to staying physically active, elderly people need to also engage in mentally stimulating activities.
A lack of socialization, conversation, companionship, and mental engagement can increase the risk of memory problems, cognitive decline, isolation, loneliness, and depression.
Work with your loved one and their caregiver to explore opportunities for socialization and mental stimulation.
Play to Your Loved One’s History, Interests, and Hobbies
When choosing activities for physical or mental engagement, find ones that play to your loved one’s history, interests, and hobbies.
This will make them more likely to stick with the activity as well as enjoy it. For instance, you could consider:
- Attending a class, club, or community event centered around a favorite hobby or interest
- Reading a favorite book out loud to each other
- Listening to favorite music or watching beloved movies or television shows
- Sharing recipes and baking or making a meal together
- Playing games like card games, bingo, backgammon, or chess
- Visiting friends or family
- Going to a museum, public garden or park, or other cultural or community landmark
- Writing letters to friends and family
- Putting together a scrapbook or photo album
- Knitting, crocheting, or painting
- Doing puzzles or playing word games
- Organizing stamp or coin collections
- Working on a model train set
- Researching family genealogy
Make Activities More Social
Some hobbies and activities can seem solitary to someone who lives alone. Work with your loved one’s caregiver to find a way to make physical or mental activities more social.
Consider taking your loved one to a park or community garden to take a walk, rather than exercising at home.Organize a phone call or video call with family so that your loved one has others to talk to.
Encourage them to join a club or community group or to volunteer with a local nonprofit.
Help them with household tasks so that they stay active while also getting assistance with daily chores like sweeping, gardening, and folding laundry.
Call Placita In Home Care for Personalized Home Care Services for Seniors
Placita In Home Care offers highly personalized in-home care services for seniors.We will work closely with you to identify your loved one’s needs and design a schedule of services that enhance their quality of life.
Our caregivers prioritize physical and mental health by coordinating services that provide exercise, mental stimulation, and companionship.
In addition to routine home care services, such as assistance with the activities of daily living, we also offer individualized care plans.
We can provide transportation to community events, mobility assistance during physical activity, and guidance and support to enhance home safety.
For seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, we offer specialized memory care services to slow cognitive decline and address symptoms.
To schedule a consultation for in-home care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.