7 Simple Activities that Can Help Aging Adults Maintain Fitness

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Easy Ways Seniors Can Stay Fit in Tampa Bay, FL

Seniors who participate in regular exercise often feel more energetic, stay independent for longer, and experience less pain and fewer illnesses. And the best part? Exercising isn’t difficult to do. Take a look at these simple ways seniors can stay fit.

1. Walk

Since it can be done anywhere, walking ranks as a top choice for exercise among seniors. Studies also show that walking with a friend or spouse makes sticking to a walking routine easier, so enlist a friend, family member, or caregiver to accompany your aging loved one on walks to provide companionship and conversation as he or she gets the heart pumping.

For families living in Clearwater, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

2. Lift

Seniors can perform exercises using light weights or resistance bands to increase balance, maintain mobility, and fight muscle atrophy. And if your loved one doesn’t have weights available, he or she can grab a can of vegetables or a water bottle for an easy in-home exercise that can be done while watching television.

3. Stretch

A good stretching routine relieves pain and makes moving easier. Seniors who are limber experience fewer injuries and have an easier time with everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry.

4. Stabilize

New studies give tai chi high marks when it comes to increasing balance. This ancient form of exercise combines graceful movements and deep breathing, so along with better balance, seniors who practice tai chi also enjoy reduced stress.

5. Balance

Older adults shouldn’t avoid exercise simply because of mobility or balance issues. Chair exercise programs offer many of the same fitness benefits as other forms of exercise without the risks, and many easy routines can be found online for free.

If your loved one needs help exercising or performing everyday tasks, consider hiring a professional caregiver. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional homecare. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

6. Dance

Ballroom dancing, line dancing, and tap dancing are just a few of the enjoyable types of dancing that also provide great exercise. Having a social activity to enjoy with others can also brighten your loved one’s day, and some studies report dancing has cognitive benefits as well, reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

7. Swim

Many seniors enjoy staying fit with water aerobics. Water provides support, so exercising in a pool can be gentler on the joints than exercising on land. Some seniors choose group classes, while others enjoy walking or jogging in the pool.

It’s never too late to get in shape. Most communities offer classes for those who want to learn new ways to stay fit or simply like the support attending a class can offer. Just make sure to check with the doctor before your loved one begins any new exercise program. 

Seniors who need assistance with exercising or other daily tasks can benefit from professional in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. Clearwater families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at (727) 330-7862 today. 

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