Fun Ways To Encourage Your Senior Parent To Move More at Home
June 27, 2024
One of the biggest health challenges that seniors face when they live at home is staying active. Seniors who have poor health or mobility challenges can find it really difficult to find new ways to incorporate movement into their day.
Movement is essential for good health. Seniors who are sedentary have a higher risk of serious health problems like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Movement will help seniors keep their muscles strong and maintain their flexibility.
You can help your senior parent find new ways to move more. If your senior parent doesn’t already have senior home care, consider signing them up for senior home care. If they have senior home care, they will get regular visits from a care provider who can help them with chores, share healthy meals with them, and encourage them to move more.
In addition to getting senior home care, you can try these tips to get your mom or dad to be more active at home:
Set Up a Daily Routine
Establish a consistent schedule that includes designated times for physical activity. Routines can provide structure and make exercise a regular part of their day. When seniors have strong daily routines they feel a sense of purpose and often feel a sense of achievement when the day is done. That makes it more fun for them to stick to the routine.
Create a Safe Exercise Space
Designate a safe, clutter-free area in the home for exercise. Ensure it is well-lit and equipped with any necessary exercise equipment, such as resistance bands, light weights, or a yoga mat. You can also put a comfortable chair in the area that will allow them to sit and do chair exercises if they are just starting to do more activity.
Incorporate Light Household Chores
Encourage them to engage in light household tasks like dusting, sweeping, or gardening. These activities can keep them moving and provide a sense of accomplishment. A senior home care provider can do the chores with them so that your senior parent is supported during the activity.
Try Chair Exercises
Introduce them to chair exercises, which are gentle on the joints and can be done while sitting. These can include seated marches, leg lifts, and arm raises. Simple chair exercises can help seniors who have been sedentary for a long time get more activity and start exercising regularly.
Encourage Them to Try Balance and Flexibility Exercises
Encourage activities that improve balance and flexibility, such as tai chi, yoga, or simple stretching routines. These can help prevent falls and improve mobility. Balance and flexibility exercises are effective without being too strenuous. Even seniors who have been sedentary for a long time can do them.
Set Small, Achievable Goals
Help them set realistic and attainable goals. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, to keep them motivated and positive about their efforts. Setting goals will help motivate your senior parent to keep going, especially when movement is difficult for them.
Incorporate Movement into Daily Activities
Suggest ways to integrate movement into their daily routine, such as standing up during TV commercials, marching in place while waiting for the microwave, or doing leg lifts while sitting.