Staying Active As You Get Older

It’s really common for people’s activity levels to decrease as they get older and often, when they no longer feel steady on their feet, people will spend more time sitting down. According to the NHS, older adults should do some type of physical activity every day though and staying active is very important for the elderly. Not only can exercise help to reduce the risk of things such as heart disease and stroke, but it can also help to enhance mobility and strength, enabling elderly people to maintain their independence. Of course, even light activity can boost mood, confidence and self-esteem too, and this can have a positive impact on mental health. 

 

Staying active is actually really easy and there are lots of different ways older adults can be physically active on a daily basis. If your loved one is worried about falling and this is causing them to spend more time sitting down, a home carer can help them to regain their confidence too. Below we have listed some of the different ways a home care agency can help your elderly loved one stay active as they get older. 

 

Going for a walk around a local park 

 

There are lots of home care services that can help your elderly loved one stay active, including companionship care. A home carer can simply go for a walk with them, enabling them to get some fresh air and stretch their legs. Even a slow walk about the garden every day is a great way to stay active and having a home carer walking beside your loved one can help to prevent any worry in relation to falling and getting injured. Walking is a brilliant low-impact form of exercise and it’s actually much more beneficial than you may initially realise. 

 

If there isn’t a park or field close to your loved one’s house, a home carer can help them walk around their local supermarket or walk to the post office to run an errand instead, for example. This can make walking more purposeful and enjoyable for them. 

 

Carrying out easy daily chores 

 

Many home carers will provide household and domestic care services to people living independently, and this can help them to keep their homes clean and tidy. However, doing a few household chores is an easy way for your elderly loved one to stay active. Even if they just assist a home carer with the vacuuming or dusting once a week, for example, this can help them to keep physically active without pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. 

 

Gardening is another excellent way to stay active and whilst they’re receiving care at home, your elderly loved one could spend more time outdoors planting flowers or mowing the lawn. Simply having a carer there to help can make these tasks seem much less daunting.  

 

Cooking and baking 

 

Often, people will spend less time in the kitchen as they get older and personal care services are designed to monitor nutrition and weight, and help the elderly continue to eat healthy balanced meals. Preparing and cooking meals with a home carer can help your elderly loved one stay active, and when they spend more time in the kitchen, they will be walking around and using different muscles without realising. Even simply getting up to make a cup of tea a couple of times a day can be a great way to get some steps in. 

 

If your loved one used to enjoy baking, a home carer can support them with this passion too. They can take your elderly loved one to the shop to get baking supplies and then help them to make their favourite sweet treats, encouraging them to be physically active. 

 

Participating in age-friendly activities

 

Of course, attending a fitness class is one of the best ways to stay active, but as they get older, lots of people worry about being unable to keep up when they attend these classes. There are so many age-appropriate activities that your loved one can join in with though and you should take a look at what classes are available in the local area for elderly people. A few different types of exercises that are brilliant for people as they get older include; swimming, water aerobics, chair aerobics, yoga and pilates. 

 

Not only can participating in activities with like-minded people help your loved one stay fit and healthy, but it can also be a great way for them to socialise and meet new people. A home carer can take your elderly loved one to fitness classes if they’re unable to drive themselves too. 

 

Arranging home care in Sale

 

It is fair to say that staying active in later life can be really easy and when they have some support and assistance from a home carer, your loved one can continue living a happy and healthy life. If you would like to find out more about the different home care services available, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Beloved Homecare today. 

 

We provide a number of useful services to elderly, convalescing and disabled clients, and we can help your loved one maintain the highest quality of life possible. You can always turn to us for assistance with home care in Sale knowing that we are the only home care provider in the local area to have an overall ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission. Regardless of what type of support your elderly loved one needs, we will provide the highest quality care services and we look forward to helping you and your loved one.