5 Ways for Aging Adults to Stay Active

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Tips to Stay Active As a Senior in Tampa Bay, FL

Staying active can enhance many areas of a senior’s life, such as socialization, cognitive function, and physical strength. Here are some tips you can use to motivate your senior loved one to stay active as he or she ages.

1. Simplify Activities

Aging often affects cognitive abilities, but it doesn’t prevent seniors from staying active. Find ways to simplify your loved one’s daily tasks and make the activities less challenging. This tip can apply to sports, exercises, social events, arts and crafts, household chores, and more. Simplifying activities doesn’t make them less stimulating and beneficial. However, it might make your loved one less hesitant to take on the activities.

2. Continue Working

Many seniors cannot wait to retire from work and avoid all of the commitments. However, once they’re retired, aging adults often become bored, isolated, and inactive. Encourage your loved one to continue working on a part-time basis, which provides something constructive to do as well as some extra income. If your loved one prefers to volunteer instead of taking on a regular schedule, help him or her find local organizations and charities. 

Many family caregivers continue working out of necessity, and they can gain peace of mind by hiring a professional caregiver to ensure their loved one’s safety and comfort. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Clearwater, FL, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.

3. Move at a Comfortable Pace

Instead of working out for an hour or more, your loved one can do short bursts of activity throughout the day. For instance, he or she can walk for 30 minutes each morning, then do another activity in the afternoon. Exercising at a comfortable pace makes working out less challenging without reducing the amount of activity. Your loved one can also take breaks during his or her regular routine. Instead of doing squats, pushups, and chair climbing all at once, he or she can start off slow and break for an hour between each activity. In most cases, these short bursts of activity can be just as effective. 

Some aging adults have mobility issues or health conditions that limit their ability to exercise safely on their own, and a trained professional caregiver can help. Clearwater senior 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.

4. Walk Instead of Driving

If your loved one has good bone health, walking may be the perfect way to stay active. Encourage your loved one to walk instead of driving to the store or a local park. You can also take the journey together to make it fun. Walking can keep your loved one active while enhancing his or her quality of life. However, he or she should avoid long distances, especially in hot and cold temperatures. While out in public, taking the stairs instead of riding the elevator can strengthen the mind and body.

5. Make Lifestyle Choices That Promote a Healthy Metabolism

One of the reasons adults become inactive in the senior years is lack of energy. Metabolism slows with age due to loss of muscle mass. Changes in diet can also decrease hormone production, leading to a slower metabolism. To prevent slowed metabolism, your loved one needs to let go of bad habits that are consuming large amounts of energy, such as smoking and drinking caffeinated beverages. When seniors get plenty of rest, their bodies can remove the toxins that damage their metabolism. Following a healthy diet also helps older adults maintain a normal weight, which boosts their metabolism.

Many seniors can boost their activity levels with the support of a professional caregiver. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Clearwater home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life. Call us today at (727) 330-7862 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.

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