4 Tips to Help Your Arthritic Loved One Embrace an Exercise Routine
December 1, 2015
Elderly Care in San Jose CA
Arthritis is incredibly painful, which means that many elderly loved ones who suffer from it avoid moving. The interesting fact is that exercise can actually help arthritic pain quite a bit.
Convincing your loved one of that fact can be difficult, though. Here are some tips that can help you to ease your loved one into an exercise routine that is just right and that she can keep up with.
Run New Activities by Your Loved One's Doctor
It's tempting when your loved one is finally ready to get moving regularly to just dive into new activities. But it's a better idea to make sure that those activities are the right ones for your loved one. He can let you know what intensity levels are good and when to increase activity levels. As your loved one becomes more adventurous, it's still important to keep her doctor informed.
Remember to Go Slow
No matter what activities you choose, always start slow. She can increase speed and intensity gradually as your loved one becomes accustomed to the exercise. Starting slowly helps to prevent injuries and ensures that your loved one doesn't aggravate other health conditions. Exercising with someone else, whether that's you or a senior care provider, can help her to remember to slow things down. Starting slow also helps your loved one to get to the point where working out is a regular part of her routine.
Get a Routine Going
Speaking of routines, although any exercise is good for your loved one, steady, regular exercise is even better. Once your loved one gets moving, it's easier to keep moving. She'll feel much better as she's able to steadily improve and gradually up her exercise game. Her body will start to crave the movement because it helps to make her feel better.
Know When to Stop
Sometimes when someone starts exercising regularly, they get excited about exercising and the try to push themselves. Over exertion can cause pain and joint damage just as not moving at all can contribute to both pain and damage. Let your loved one listen to her body so that she knows when to stop and when to take a bit of a rest.
Exercise is so important for your elderly loved one's health, but it's important to make sure that she's getting the right kind and the right intensity.
If you or an aging loved one are looking for elderly care services in San Jose, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care. Call today!
Santa Clara County: (408) 600-2760
San Mateo County: (650) 458-0140
Santa Cruz County: (831) 325-0890
Source
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/ART-20047971