5 Ways to Help Your Aging Loved One Get into Better Shape

By 9  am on

5 Ways to Help Your Senior Loved One Get into Shape in Philadelphia

Getting into shape can provide your senior loved one with a wide variety of physical and mental benefits. In addition to providing more energy and strengthening the immune system, staying active can also boost your loved one’s brain health. The following tips can help you get your loved one into shape without spending hours at the gym.

1. Consider a Low-Impact Sport

Seniors shouldn’t spend too much time engaging in rigorous activities, which is why a low-impact sport such as golf could be a great option. According to the National Institutes of Health, golf is one of the best games for seniors who aren’t able to play contact sports. Golfing for just three or four hours a week can burn up to 2000 calories and help with a variety of motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, balance, and dexterity. Some other age-friendly sports your loved one might enjoy include badminton, doubles tennis, and table tennis. Playing a low-impact sport can boost your senior loved one’s health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Philadelphia home care. Services our caregivers provide include transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. 

2. Suggest Doing Basic Household Chores

Doing household chores is an excellent way for the elderly to get into shape. Seniors can burn up to 140 calories an hour doing light chores such as dusting and putting away the dishes. Tougher chores like vacuuming, mowing, and scrubbing the floors can burn up to 200 calories an hour. If your loved one can manage basic household chores, encourage him or her to do them or a regular basis.

If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Philadelphia seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.

3. Use Technology

Longer cardiovascular workouts can start to feel quite monotonous after a few minutes. If your loved one gets bored while exercising, consider investing in a smartphone or MP3 player. These small devices can hold several songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. Your loved one can listen to all of the classics he or she grew up with while walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle. Your loved one might also be able to find podcasts geared toward his or her interests.

4. Run Errands Together

Running errands may not seem like a great way to exercise, but these daily tasks burn more calories than most people realize. Getting in and out of the car, walking around stores, and carrying groceries can strengthen the muscles and gently increase the heart rate. You can also plan the route so you walk from store to store instead of drive. Another benefit of taking your loved one out of the house is the amount of socialization he or she may get.

5. Bring the Grandkids Around

There is a good reason many people claim being around kids makes them feel younger. Chasing grandchildren for a few hours can burn a tremendous amount of calories, and it won’t feel like exercise. Ask your loved one if he or she would like to head to the park to watch the grandkids while they play. As long as your loved one is on his or her feet and moving around, he or she will constantly be burning calories. One study carried out at the Carter Center found that playing with kids for an hour burns around 220 calories.

Older adults often need encouragement and assistance to make healthy lifestyle choices. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining healthy habits, consider hiring a professional elderly caregiver. Philadelphia families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide dedicated and compassionate in-home caregivers who are trained in our holistic Balanced Care Method, which was designed to encourage seniors to exercise often, eat nutritious foods, maintain strong social ties, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To schedule a free in-home consultation, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers at (215) 645-4663 today.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG

    Request Free Information or
    Schedule a Free in-Home Consultation