As people get older, they risk losing energy, muscle strength, and balance, but remaining active can help slow this decline. Unfortunately, older people often also lost the motivation to be physically active as well. If you have older loved ones who seems to have a hard time getting enough exercise, you can help find ways to encourage them by making exercise fun.
Keep it Simple
Help your loved one find simple and enjoyable exercise, looking for ways to promote endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. It could be that the novelty of joining a gym is enough motivation for your loved one to stick to an exercise regimen of walks on the treadmill or time spent on the stationary bike. On the other hand, some people find that type of exercise boring and would prefer a walk in a quiet neighborhood, or a swim in a community pool. The type of exercise doesn’t matter, as long as the body is moving! You can encourage your loved one by suggesting a variety of activities that are enjoyable and easy to do. Even simple chores like working in the garden can provide good exercise.
Do It Together
Find time to walk together, take an exercise class, or participate in an active hobby. Having an exercise buddy helps people of all ages stay accountable and keep exercising, and you can be that person for your older loved one. When you get together as a family, do something active instead of sitting around. Be mindful of the pace, though, respecting the fact that the older people in your family won’t necessarily move as quickly as the rest of the crowd.
Try Something New
Maybe the older person in your life used to love to go dancing. Why not suggest taking a dance class together? Maybe one of you is dying to try Pickleball. You can give it a shot, modifying it as necessary to meet the needs of those playing. Activities like those give both of you the opportunity to learn new skills while getting some exercise.
Keep Going, Even When Life Happens
Sometimes illness, injury, or just a busy season will interrupt your exercise routine. Don’t let these temporary setbacks derail you, but instead, get back on track as soon as you can. Consider, too, that you may not always be available to exercise with your loved one. Set him or her up for success by facilitating engagement with the community, encouraging a membership to a fitness club, or supplying some exercise gear to use at home.
Reinforce Other Healthy Habits as Well
Exercise is important, but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. A nutritious diet, ample hydration, and quality sleep are all significant elements of a healthy lifestyle. Encourage your loved one to keep up with all of these aspects too, as well as taking days off between strenuous exercise days, to allow the body to rest and recover.
BrightStar Care® Can Help Your Loved One Stay Active
When you can’t be there, a home caregiver can be a wonderful resource to help encourage healthy habits like exercise for your older loved one. At
BrightStar Care of Tampa, we offer a wide range of home care and medical staffing services, providing the right support to fit each client’s unique needs. With our variety of high-quality, compassionate care and our unparalleled support for our local healthcare system, we give more, not just to the people we serve but also to our community. We strive to make our clients’ lives the best they can possibly be while making the Tampa community stronger than ever, and we are honored to have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, both locally and nationally. From our nurses and caregivers to our office team and staff, everyone on the BrightStar Care of Tampa team cares deeply about providing the kind of high-quality care and support that truly make a difference in people’s lives. For more information about our care and services, call 813.692.1021 or
contact us through our website.
