You’ve heard it all before. Exercise is important. Your elderly loved one has heard it all before as well, and perhaps he’s even made a point of getting some exercise every day. That’s fantastic! However, one part of the exercise discussion that is often overlooked is the need for several types of exercise. Home care providers can help your senior loved one with a safe and healthy exercise regimen.
Why Are All Four Types of Exercise Necessary
Consider this: Eating vegetables is an integral part of a healthy diet, right? But if someone you knew said all that he ate was vegetables, no proteins, no carbs, never an ounce of fat, you’d understand that while those vegetables are full of essential nutrients for him, neglecting other important food groups is being neglectful of the benefits of all of the food groups.
The same can be said about exercise. Aerobic or Endurance exercise is what most people immediately gravitate toward when they are told they should exercise more. However, the three other types of exercise are just as important, and they all support each other. So, if your loved one adds strength, balance, and flexibility exercises to his routine of aerobic exercising, those activities will boost the health benefits of one another.
Here are some great ways to add a little of each activity to your loved one’s daily (or weekly) exercise schedule. Any time a new program begins, always verify with your loved one’s primary physician and home care team to see if they have any recommendations to keep your loved one safe and healthy.
Endurance or Aerobic Activity
This type of exercise refers to the types of exercise that get a person’s heart pumping. It doesn’t have to mean putting on leg warmers and jumping up and down with an 80s aerobics instructor on a video. It can be a lot less stressful for the joints if it includes walking, swimming, or cycling.
This is a great activity to do with someone like a friend or a home care provider. People who do endurance activities with someone often do it for longer periods and get more joy from it.
Strength Training or Resistance Building
Again, drop the stereotype of sitting on a bench in a darkened corner of a gym pumping iron and help your loved one devise fun ways to build his muscles. Muscle strength helps your loved one enjoy his favorite activities longer and assists him in staying independent by being able to perform certain household functions. Repetitious exercises involving moving a weighted object can be a great start.
Flexibility and Stretching Exercises
Moving easily will help your loved one with daily tasks like tying his shoes or picking up something from the floor. Ask his home care provider to help him find stretching videos or yoga videos where he can watch safe ways to stretch. Look for videos geared toward seniors, and remember to breathe!
Balancing Skills
Every senior knows the importance of being able to maintain their balance. The fear of falling is common among seniors and practicing balancing skills can help reduce the risk of falling. Sometimes, these exercises might be safer to do with someone standing nearby, like his home care provider, so he can grab onto them to help him balance.
Some easy movements include standing on one foot, walking a “tightrope” on the ground, or practicing tai-chi, the meditative art of balance and breathing.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Stockton, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
