5 Ways to Help an Aging Parent Remain Physically Fit

by | Aug 21, 2023 | Senior Fitness & Nutrition

Aging brings physical changes that impact physical fitness. However, staying physically fit is essential for living a long and happy life. Now that your senior loved one is older, you can use these strategies to help him or her maintain a healthy fitness level. 

1. Address New Injuries

Few things can sideline an active senior faster than a serious injury that goes too long without treatment. While no one wants to admit he or she has a painful ankle or aching hip, the truth is continuing to work out on it could cause bigger issues down the road. The senior years are a time when minor injuries can add up to long-term issues such as arthritis. Let your loved one know he or she has your support to go to the doctor anytime something hurts when exercising. 

If your loved one needs help to exercise safely, hiring a professional caregiver can be an ideal solution. Home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.

2. Keep Up with Health Screenings

Physical fitness involves more than being able to lift weights or keep an impressive physique. Your loved one’s fitness levels also include things such as having a normal heart rate and the ability to breathe deeply. Help your loved one set up a calendar that makes it easier to keep up with routine health exams and screenings. If a problem is detected, make sure your loved one gives the health issue immediate attention so it might be corrected before it impacts other aspects of his or her physical health. 

3. Modify Exercise Routines as Needed

Getting older may also mean your loved one cannot always do the same high-intensity workouts he or she used to, which may cause him or her to give up on working out. To avoid this problem, help your loved one find ways to do his or her favourite activities comfortably and safely. For example, your parent may need to use a foam block during a yoga routine. Your loved one might also need to jog with a buddy and choose routes with easier accessibility. With some careful planning, your loved one can likely continue to enjoy his or her favourite athletic pursuits for many years. 

If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, hiring a professional caregiver to take over on occasion is a great option. Home Care Edmonton professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, home care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.

4. Plan Active Outings

Physical fitness can be maintained with regular intervals of activity scattered throughout the day. Sitting for hours drastically lowers fitness levels. Get your loved one off the couch by offering an array of exciting activities to do each week that require movement. Dancing is one activity that can double as exercise. Your loved one may also enjoy walking through a museum or botanical garden. Staying busy can help your parent keep up his or her natural physical abilities without being drained by too much exercise. 

5. Monitor Weight & Activity Levels

Your loved one shouldn’t feel tied to a scale, but it’s important to do regular check-ins to monitor his or her health. Check your loved one’s weight weekly to see if it changes. You can also assess your parent’s energy levels as he or she performs a workout. Monitoring physical fitness can help your loved one make changes to the current routine as needed to prevent a major decrease in abilities. 

Assistance with exercising safely is just one of the benefits seniors receive when families enlist the help of trained professional caregivers. Edmonton senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If you need professional care for your loved one, InCasa Home Care Services is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 587-609-6854.

Related Posts