Many aging adults spend a lot of their time sitting around on the couch or lying in bed, which can cause them to be sedentary. Keep your senior loved one physically active as he or she ages to promote a healthy lifestyle. Here are some activities that can prevent older adults from being sedentary.
1. Yoga
Even if your loved one sits around for a long time, doing yoga can counter negative effects such as stiff muscles and sore joints. The techniques done in yoga provide immediate relief. When yoga is performed on a regular basis, it can unravel the long-term effects seniors encounter from sitting too much.
Many seniors need help engaging in physical activities such as yoga. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Lifestar Home Care, a leading provider of at-home care. Lifestar Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Bike Riding
Riding a bike is low-impact exercise, which is perfect for seniors who want to avoid being sedentary. Biking strengthens muscles and increases endurance. Seniors can go biking multiple times each week because it’s a physical activity that doesn’t place undue pressure on the joints.
Make the activity even more exciting by planning weekly bike rides for the entire family. While cycling around the neighborhood or a local park, your family can share fun stories from the week. Cycling is a great activity because it boosts bone health, stimulates the brain, and lowers stress levels.
Elevated stress levels can make it difficult for older adults to age in place. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Lifestar Home Care, a trusted provider of Respite Care Oklahoma City seniors can depend on.
3. Daily Stretches
Stretching is one of the simplest ways to keep muscles active. Your loved one can stretch in the morning and again before going to bed. Develop an easy stretching routine your loved one can do with little or no assistance. Stretching each day increases balance and flexibility and leads to better posture.
4. Musical Chairs
Musical chairs isn’t a game that’s just for children. It can also be for seniors who want to move and have fun at the same time. You only need a few people to play this game. Racing to get to a chair allows your loved one to use his or her muscles while pacing around. Once the music stops, your loved one will have to find a chair and sit up straight until someone is left standing without a place to sit. The excitement of this game can combat stress, lowering the risk of inflammation and other issues that cause tension and irritation of the joints.
5. Gardening
Gardening can get your loved one off the couch and outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, which is good for bone and muscle health. Gardening can reduce the risk of other health issues caused by being sedentary, such as blood clots, strokes, and infections. Working in the garden gets the blood flowing, undoing much of the damage caused by sitting around and being inactive.
Aging adults who lead sedentary lifestyles often experience various health conditions as they age. The type of Home Care Oklahoma City seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Lifestar Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. Lifestar Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.