Seniors who want to live vibrant, healthy, and fun lives should remain active while aging. Being active can lead to better bone density, heart health, and brain function. Here are some of the ways your elderly loved one can stay active as he or she ages.
1. Walking
Taking a walk through the neighborhood, at the local mall, or on a nearby trail can keep seniors active. Walking can lead to better mobility and flexibility and reduce the risk of slips and falls. If your loved one enjoys taking hikes, encourage him or her to go on an easy nature walk that works out the heart and lungs.
When aging adults take walks, their blood pressure and stress levels may be reduced almost instantly. Lower stress levels reduce the risk of panic attacks and heart issues in the senior years.
Walking is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Engaging in Arts & Crafts
Engaging in creative activities stimulates the brain and lowers the risk of memory loss. One of the many benefits of arts and crafts is that the activities can be done in the comfort of home.
Doing arts and crafts may enhance hand-eye coordination and offer several health benefits. Your loved one can participate in his or her favorite crafts or take up new hobbies such as painting, sewing, or pottery.
3. Joining a Senior-Friendly Workout Group
Regular moderate exercise is a great way to stay active, and joining a senior-friendly gym provides the physical and social activity your loved one needs. Some gyms offer senior classes that include regular meetups and activities such as swimming, walking, yoga, and dancing. It’s important for adults to stay social to lower the risk of isolation, loneliness, and boredom in the senior years.
4. Cooking
Older adults often turn to fast food and prepared meals because they don’t feel like cooking during the week. Although fast food is a convenient option, it’s not a healthy choice.
Cooking provides nutritional benefits as well as physical and mental health advantages. Preparing meals involves performing actions such as cutting and whisking, which gives your loved one the opportunity to work out. Washing the dishes and cleaning up around the kitchen after preparing the meals also provides a little bit of exercise.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Huntsville seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
5. Performing Part-Time Work
Many seniors look forward to retirement because they have more free time and fewer commitments. However, the extra time could cause boredom in the golden years. If your loved one is in good shape and wants to return to work, he or she should start out on a part-time basis.
Motivate your loved one to try a new career field to make things more interesting. In addition to part-time work, your loved one can volunteer with a local organization to further a worthy cause.
Professional caregivers can play an important role in helping seniors remain active and healthy. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Huntsville at-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. Whether your parent needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, give us a call at (256) 716-9940 today.