When you are providing elderly care for a loved one, getting regular exercise is a crucial part of maintaining their overall wellbeing. However, there are specific regimens and aspects of working out that should be avoided for health and safety reasons. To make physical fitness a standard and healthy part of elderly care, consider the following do’s and don’ts for seniors.

Do:

Ease into a new routine.

If the loved one you’re providing elderly care for hasn’t been regularly active for an extended period, it’s essential to help them ease into their new regimen. Have them start with 15-20 minutes of walking three to four times a week and slowly increase the amount of time they are walking as they get used to it. After this, you can begin to add in other exercises that focus on stretching and maintaining muscle.

Encourage them to hydrate and eat right.

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential to staying healthy while being physically active. Encourage your loved one to make better dietary decisions by helping them pick out healthy foods. Make sure their fridge is stocked with groceries such as lean proteins, fruits, veggies, and plenty of water, as opposed to sugary beverages and fried foods.

Don’t:

Forget to properly warm-up.

Even if the loved one you provide elderly care for is gradually working back into a regular exercise program, it’s still important that they properly warm-up before beginning their activity. Talk to them about what stretches they should be doing to loosen their muscles and avoid any strains. Also, remind them to do some light stretching after their workout to cooldown their system and prevent cramping.

Be afraid to try new exercise programs.

While walking is a great way to ease back into a workout routine, there are several types of programs that are suitable for older individuals. Many centers provide classes for seniors to help them get into shape while doing something different to keep their interest piqued. These programs may range from light yoga and water aerobics to Zumba.

Exercise is a vital and essential part of elderly care, which is why families in Cincinnati, OH, trust the team of professionals at Mount Washington Care Center. This facility provides the top-notch senior services your aging loved ones need, whether it’s social, physical, emotional, or mental care. To learn more about the long-term care options and programs for seniors at Mount Washington Care Center, visit them online or call (513) 231-4561.