What Should Your Senior Know about Exercise?
Exercise is frequently recommended for aging adults, but sometimes your elderly family member might have some misconceptions about exercise that keep her from diving in. The more she knows about what exercise can really do for her, the more likely she’ll be to fully embrace a new workout routine.
She Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect at It
Lots of people avoid exercise because they feel clumsy while doing it or they just don’t get to the same level as people who are more experienced get. But all of that is okay. Your senior doesn’t have to be perfect at exercise in order to benefit from it. When she can let go of that pressure she’s putting on herself, your senior can have more fun with movement and simply enjoy what she’s still able to do.
Slow Starts Are Just as Beneficial
It’s far better for your senior when she’s starting a new exercise program to take her time and to go slowly. She can always ramp up her activity level later, but she doesn’t have to start out at top speed. Her doctor can help your elderly family member to determine what her starting workout routine should be like and how quickly she might be able to progress. It’s about keeping her healthy, not burning her out.
Consistency Is More Important than Lots of Exercises
Your elderly family member might also think that she should be exercising for hours and hours every day or something equally extreme. What’s actually more important is that she consistently keeps moving. When she’s able to build up her strength, her stamina, and her flexibility, she’s going to see the benefits of those movements she’s been making.
It’s Never Too Late to Exercise
A common self-defeating thought involving exercise is that it’s too late to get started or that your elderly family member is simply too out of shape to benefit from exercise. The truth is that it’s never too late for your aging family member to start moving more. She can start benefiting now and she’ll continue to benefit the more that she moves.
If your elderly family member is still getting used to the idea of working out regularly, make sure that she has an exercise buddy or someone else there when she’s exercising. Elder care providers can help her to stay on task and watch for signs that she might be overdoing it.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Clark County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.
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