Staying active is one of the best things seniors can do to improve their health. But if your mom has a hard time exercising because she has arthritis, has had knee or hip replacements, or has some other factor that limits her mobility, she may not be getting enough activity.
Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be helpful. Doctors recommend that seniors get as much activity as they can comfortably do with the conditions that they have and in-home care providers can help them.
And if your mom has limited mobility these exercises could be the perfect way to get her to move more at home:
Seated Marches
For this exercise, your mom should comfortably sit in a chair with her feet flat on the floor. Then, she should lift one knee up towards her chest then lower it back down. Repeat with the other knee. This exercise helps improve lower body strength and flexibility. If your mom needs help getting into a comfortable chair to do this exercise, an in-home care provider can help her settle in a chair.
Chair Yoga
Many yoga poses can be adapted to a seated position, making them accessible for seniors with limited mobility. Chair yoga poses focus on gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to improve flexibility and reduce stress.
There are many free and accessible videos that show appropriate chair yoga poses for seniors. An in-home care provider can help your mom find fun chair yoga videos.
Arm Raises
For this exercise, your mom should sit or stand with her arms by her sides. Then, she should slowly raise her arms out to the sides and overhead, then lower them back down. This exercise helps strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve the range of motion.
Leg Extensions
Your mom can do this exercise in the same comfortable chair. She will need to sit upright in a chair with her feet flat on the floor. Then she should extend one leg out in front and slowly lower it back down. Repeat with the other leg. This exercise strengthens the quadriceps muscles in the thighs.
Ankle Circles
Ankle circles may be too much for your mom if she has arthritis. But if she doesn’t, these exercises can improve mobility. Have your mom sit in a chair with her feet flat on the floor. Then, she should lift one foot off the ground and rotate the ankle in a slow circular motion, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. Repeat with the other foot. This exercise helps improve ankle flexibility and mobility.
Chair Stand
If your mom has balance problems or can’t stand for more than a few minutes, this exercise may help. She will need to sit in a sturdy chair with her feet flat on the floor. Then, she should place her hands on the armrests or the seat of the chair for support and slowly stand up, using her leg muscles. After a few seconds, she should sit back down with control.
This exercise strengthens the leg muscles and improves balance, and with the help of in-home care services, she can have peace of mind that someone is there to help if she needs it.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring In-Home Care in Suisun City, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
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