Now that you've finally convinced your senior to start exercising and her doctor has given her the all clear, it's time to look at safety. Following some of these tips can help your senior to avoid injury and to stay as safe as possible while exercising.
She Should Listen to Her Body
The biggest lesson for your aging adult when it comes to exercise is that she needs to listen to what her body is telling her. A little bit of muscle soreness might be to be expected, but if she's experiencing pain or significant discomfort, she needs to stop. Make sure that she knows that she should let you or home care providers know when she's feeling badly from something that's happened during exercise. Those old sayings about "no pain, no gain" definitely don't apply to your aging family member.
She Needs to Eat Well in Order to Fuel Her Body
Fueling her body properly is going to allow your elderly family member to continue exercising the way that she wants to. You might want to consider working with a dietician or nutritionist as well as talk to her doctor about what she should be eating. The better she's eating, the better she'll feel.
She Should Go Slowly and Steadily
Lots of people make the mistake of trying to exercise too fast and for too long. In reality, your senior is going to get better benefits from taking a slow and steady approach to exercise. This is about building up her stamina and her strength, so she doesn't have to expend all of her energy at once.
She Needs to Cool Down and Warm Up
Warming up before starting to exercise and cooling down afterward seems like a waste of time to lots of people who exercise. But for your aging adult, warm ups and cool downs are a way for her to avoid injury and to ensure that she's able to exercise for as long as she wants. These don't have to be complicated, though. Warming up and cooling down can be as simple as getting started slowly and avoiding a sudden stop.
Remember to keep follow up appointments with your senior's doctor. These can help to ensure that your elderly family member isn't exercising too much and that she's getting the right benefits from her exercise regimen.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a caregiver in Manhattan Beach, CA, please call Mom's Home Care and talk to our friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Our number is 323-244-4789.
