Staying active can be very challenging for many seniors, especially when they already have to battle many mobility and health issues. But being able to remain fit in old age is also important, as it can prevent or delay many age-related health issues. Keeping fit also helps to strengthen muscles, allowing your senior parent to go about their daily activities without spending too much on assistance. According to the CDC, adults 65 and older need at least 150 minutes a week of physical activity. And the following tips can ensure that you help them get just that.
Consider signing them up for a gym membership
You can consider getting your senior parent a gym membership or putting them under the care of personal trainers specialized in senior fitness. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you can take up the challenge and be your aging parent’s senior fitness instructor. You can find several online courses, certifications, and other resources on websites like www.americansportandfitness.com to assist you.
If you’re not a fitness enthusiast, you can still make time to exercise with your senior parents if they live with you. Instead of going to the gym, you can take your parents out for walks or practice basic workout routines at home. But for that to be effective, you should consider the next point.
Gift them exercise equipment
Gifting your parents books for their spare time is great; try adding some exercise equipment too. This would give your parents a chance to get active and prevent them from making excuses for not getting some exercise done. The equipment you give them depends on their endurance levels, strength, flexibility, and level of mobility. Some ideal options include a stationary bike, a yoga mat, stability balls, resistance bands, and lighter-weight dumbbells.
Hire a professional
As mentioned earlier, you can hire a personal trainer experienced in senior fitness for your aging parent. But you can also seek the services of personal assistants and caregivers who will take your senior parents out for at least 30 minutes of daily physical activities. With this option, your parents will also have a physical presence with them daily.
Help them meet up with friends and loved ones
If your aging parent lives alone, has mobility issues, or feels lonely or isolated most of the time, they must get all the physical attention they need. Isolation does not affect the mind alone; it can also be detrimental to physical health in many ways. So try to keep your aging parents physically engaged with regular family visits. And if you’re too busy to do that, at least find ways to help your parents connect with their friends and family, especially physically. Of course, text messages and video calls are great, but the physical connection is more important. But if your parents have no friends or loved ones living nearby, look for clubs, groups, associations, and other opportunities to socialize dedicated to seniors and sign them up for those groups.