As people age, staying physically active and exercising regularly can become challenging. This is especially the case for the elder members of the family, as they start having mobility issues and need assistance for daily living activities such as eating, bathing, and using the bathroom. And in some cases, being able to keep your senior active may be challenging as they may also have specific health conditions that make physical exertion painful or risky.
With that, it can be quite common for the elderly to feel less energized or motivated to move around and even work out. And so, their loved ones and friends need to find ways to make the daily fitness of senior members more manageable and convenient.
How To Keep Your Senior Active Indoors?
Regular exercise is vital for people regardless of age. Physical movements help strengthen and energize the body, allowing seniors to remain independent and provide care for themselves. And more so, working out can also help them retain flexibility and agility, which are essential to comfortable movement and convenient daily living.
And so, keeping an active lifestyle while indoors can help them maintain their health and fitness. With that in mind, here are some suggestions you may find helpful to help your senior loved ones stay active and fit.
1. Enroll Them In Assisted Exercise Classes
You’ll find facilities specializing in aged care that offer guided exercise classes for seniors. The activities are done in an indoor setting, and the participants will have access to instructors and assistants when needed.
This setup is ideal if you want to encourage your senior loved ones to exercise more since they’ll get to do appropriate activities for their age and health status. They’ll also get the help they need should they experience extreme fatigue, pain, or discomfort during activities.
To help them adjust more quickly, you or a trusted caregiver can join them as they start attending sessions. They’ll feel more secure and comfortable having someone they trust, especially if they encounter difficulties.
2. Encourage Them To Participate In Online Exercise Classes
If your senior loved ones prefer to work out at home, you can encourage them to join online exercise classes. Virtual classes are ideal for seniors since they won’t be required to travel or walk to a gym or venue, and they can also do it at their convenience.
Commonly, virtual exercise classes are done live to allow participants to interact with the instructors and other attendees. However, there are also those who offer recorded classes. You can also opt for that. That way, your senior loved ones can finish the session without feeling pressured since they can do it at their own pace.
3. Invest In Appropriate Exercise Equipment
Another way to encourage the elderly to stay active indoors is by giving them appropriate exercise equipment they can use based on their health status and personal preferences. Having easy access to workout equipment can help motivate them to exercise indoors at their convenience.
Here are examples of workout equipment ideal for seniors:
- Resistance bands
- Yoga mat
- Stability balls
- Stationary bike
- Treadmill
- Wrist Weights
- Dumbbells
If your senior loved one is new to working out, it may be ideal to hire a professional instructor to guide them when using this equipment. Having close supervision will help them use the equipment properly, maximize their workout sessions and minimize the risk of injury or overexertion.
4. Allow Them To Participate In Household Chores
Aside from workout sessions and regular exercise, another way to keep your elderly stay active indoors is by allowing them to take part in a few chores and tasks at home. Perhaps they can help you with simple household chores such as sweeping the floor, dusting the shelves, or gardening.
Simple tasks like that do not only allow them to remain fit and active but can also give them a sense of independence and responsibility. This can help promote both good physical and mental well-being.
5. Schedule Activities With Friends And Family
Spending time with friends and family allows seniors to feel supported and loved. The connection and interaction with significant people in their lives can help encourage them to participate in activities and gatherings, which is highly beneficial to their mental and emotional health.
In addition, seniors who feel isolated may experience weakness and degradation early on due to a lack of emotional support. Thus, it’s vital to spend time with them at home and involve them in any activities that the whole family will enjoy.
Conclusion
Staying active can help your senior loved ones maintain their health and wellness as they age. Physical exertion and regular exercise allow seniors to strengthen their bones and muscles, boost their immune systems, and improve blood circulation. This also enables them to live more comfortably and maintain their preferred lifestyle.
With that in mind, it’s essential to find effective ways to keep your senior loved ones active in the comfort of their homes. Keeping the insights discussed in the article can be a good start in encouraging physical activities among the elder members of your family.
