A comprehensive approach to eldelry care requires all the relevant aspects to be taken into consideration. Professionals in the field of homecare in Pacific Palisades are well-aware of how important it is for the elderly to stay as active as possible, which is why they do everything in their power to keep the elderly physically busy.
As we get older, we start to lose the enthusiasm for a lot of things. Our energy levels plummet and it is extremely difficult to snap out of it and get back on track, especially if we tend to spend a lot of our time sitting or lying in bed. This is exactly the kind of situation that many elderly living alone face. Often, they are completely oblivious to the fact that engaging in physical activities could truly do wonders for their health and wellbeing.
Why is physical activity important for elderly?
World Health Organization has issued guidelines designed to encourage the elderly (65 and over) to stay physically active. Engaging in physical activity on a regular basis can benefit the elderly in various ways by reducing the risk of:
- Non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, to name a few)
- Depression and anxiety
- Cognitive decline.
Physical activity can have a positive effect on the functional health of our whole body, especially:
- Cardiorespiratory fitness
- Muscle fitness
- Bone health
What’s more, physical activity can help the elderly refusing to eat combat loss of appetite and maintain a healthier daily routine in general.
What activities are best suited for the elderly aged 65 and above?
Luckily, physical activity is not limited to strenuous exercising and sports. There are other ways to stay active and fit:
- Walking
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Gardening
- Household chores
- Playing group games
- Community activities
How do you encourage an elderly person to stay active?
Regardless of how old we are, it takes a great deal of commitment and determination to stay physically active. Even if we want to, maintaining a regular fitness routine is easier said and done. Sometimes we have too much on our plate and there is just no time to stick to a workout schedule, and sometimes we are just exhausted. All of this is all the more true when the elderly are concerned.
What you or your siblings can do for your elderly loved one is keep them company whenever possible. For most elderly people, occasional companionship is all they really want. You can take them for a drive to Will Rogers State Historic Park for a light hike or spend an afternoon helping them go through their wardrobe and sort things out. Remember: every little bit helps!
And of course, if you are unable to spend some time with them yourself, you can always rely on a professional caregiver to incorporate some light household chores, walking and exercising into your elderly loved one’s daily routine.
Always going above and beyond to promote our clients’ wellbeing
Here at A Better Way in Home Care, we have over two decades of experience in helping clients meet the area’s leading caregivers, professionals who have raised professional senior homecare in Pacific Palisades to the highest level. With us, each client gets a tailor-made approach. This is our way of making sure each client makes the most out of this and experiences welcome changes that will do them good and bring them more joy. Call today and let’s get started!
