People often joke about being too old to do certain things, but you never outgrow the need to exercise. However, many people are discouraged from exercising because of certain myths regarding exercise and aging. It’s time seniors and their families know the truth about exercising with age and why it’s so important.
Old Age Makes It Impossible to Exercise
It’s true that the human body changes with age, but that doesn’t mean exercise won’t help. In fact, there are people in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s who are still lifting weights and running marathons. There’s a wealth of evidence showing regular exercise boosts physical health, enhances memory, and even reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Doctors Won’t Approve of Exercises
It’s wise to check with the doctor before starting any exercise plan if your loved one has a serious medical condition. The doctor can point you in the direction of which exercises are best suited for your loved one’s needs. However, there are very few cases when a doctor will say exercise isn’t beneficial. With exercise regimens, it’s important that seniors start slowly and listen to their bodies to avoid overdoing the workouts.
Seniors Are Too Sick to Work Out
People may avoid the gym because of twinges in their backs or slight headaches. The irony is that working out can actually alleviate these symptoms. As muscles strengthen, minor aches and pains will become more manageable. Seniors should start with low-impact exercises such as yoga and tai chi. If possible, make working out a social event and involve friends, family, or even a professional caregiver. The companionship of an exercise partner can provide fun and additional motivation.
If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Fort Lauderdale Assisting Hands Home Care can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Exercise Is Dangerous for Seniors
As people age, it’s normal to worry about falling. However, exercising makes it less likely that your loved one will fall and get hurt. Exercise builds strength, agility, and balance. In addition to making falls less likely, exercising regularly also boosts bone health so seniors can heal from accidents more quickly.If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Fort Lauderdale families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Reach out to us at Assisting Hands Home Care if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today.
