The first of the year is right around the corner and with the busyness of the holidays, it’ll be here before you say, “Happy New Year.” For many, the first of the year brings new resolutions that people want to implement into their lives to make the coming year even better. A common one for all ages is getting more exercise or being more active. For seniors, this can be a great New Year’s resolution because the health benefits of being more active reach far beyond just increased movement. Here are five great ways to help your senior stay motivated to keep their exercise resolution, and how companion care at home can help.
Health Benefits of Regular Exercise
The health benefits of regular exercise are more plentiful than the glitter that covers your loved one’s New Year’s Eve headband. Getting regular exercise, no matter what a person’s age or health condition is currently, is almost always a step in the right direction and will benefit them in numerous areas of their lives. From the obvious benefits of building strength and stamina to the less thought-about health benefits of better sleep and reduced feelings of anxiety, physical activity should be on everyone’s resolution list this year. (Just make sure your loved one gets the okay from her physician first if she has any serious health issues.)
Five Tips to Motivate Your Elderly Loved One to Keep Moving
It’s important to keep it up even when your loved one feels like she just wants to quit. To reduce the risk of her starting up a new physical activity routine and then quitting it within a month, here are six tips to keep her motivated.
- Choose an Activity she knows she Enjoys. If your loved one likes to walk, then help her discover how she can walk each day. It might mean finding several locations to walk such as a park when the weather is nice and an indoor mall when the weather isn’t so nice. Finding multiple locations can help her avoid any excuses for not exercising.
- Or Help Her Find a New Activity. Maybe she needs a change of pace. Help her find a class for learning a new activity like dance or pickleball. This can keep her from getting bored.
- Schedule It! Help her learn to say, “I can’t at 10 because I go for my walks at 10 am each day.” Making it a priority on her schedule will help her say no to possible interruptions.
- Invite a Friend of Hers to Join In. It’s easier to stay motivated and accountable when a friend is relying on the interaction as well.
- Celebrate Milestones Together. Plan for a special activity or item when she reaches milestones to celebrate how great she’s been doing.
Recruiting an Exercise Companion
As mentioned above, having someone keep your elderly loved one accountable regarding her exercise goals is a great way to keep her motivated. If your loved one needs a great motivational person in her life, a companion care at home provider could be the right fit! A provider who offers companion care at home can help your loved one with transportation (no more saying she can’t exercise because she can’t find a ride) or help with keeping her workout clothes clean and fresh so they are ready when she is. Her companion care at home provider may even join her as she exercises.
If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Rye, NH, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands Home Care – Seacoast NH today! 603-824-8200
Assisting Hands Home Care – Seacoast NH provides exceptional home in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, North Hampton, Hampton, Stratham, Exeter, Durham, Dover, Seabrook, Greenland, Rochester, Hampton Falls and surrounding areas.
