5 Steps to Alleviate a Senior’s Fear of Exercising

Older adults to exercise daily are less vulnerable to serious health conditions. However, many seniors fear exercise, especially if they have faced injuries during workouts in the past and may be due to bone health conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. If your aging loved one hesitates to engage in regular physical activities, Home Care Sarasota professionals share a few easy and effective steps to help him or her alleviate the fear of exercising.

Emphasize the Benefits of Exercise

It is normal for seniors to think about the negative aspects of working out. For instance, they may think that their muscles feel sore after exercise or claim exercise to be boring. Encourage your loved one to find the positive side of working out by listing various benefits he or she can be able to enjoy, like alleviating the pain associated with osteoporosis.

Consult a Physician

Seniors who fear getting hurt during exercise may feel more confident with their physician’s approval. During your loved one’s medical visit, ask the physician to help him or her decide on a few safe methods of exercise. The doctor can help reinforce several benefits regular exercise can offer, like lowering blood pressure and maintaining healthy body weight. In some cases, the doctor may provide your loved one with ideas for exercising safely like taking help from a professional at-home caregiver. In Sarasota, home care services are one of the most reliable senior care options for families.

Find Fun Activities

Show your loved one that exercising isn’t just limited to jumping jacks and strenuous jumping jacks. Introduce your loved one to fun exercise options like interactive video games that involve movement or water aerobics. In fact, activities like walking through a park or a zoo or gardening can boost his or her health.

Find a Workout Partner

Many seniors enjoy working out with a partner and feel safe. Whether your loved one enjoys stretching in bed with you or a friend or likes stationary cycling with a friend, having a social component to workout can make it less intimidating for him or her.

Track the Progress

Goal setting gives seniors something to focus on and work toward. Help your aging loved one set achievable goals like walking for five minutes extra each day. Create a calendar or chart system to mark your loved one’s progress each day. At the end of every week, celebrate his or her achieved goals and motivation for doing more. It can be done by offering your loved one his or her favorite treat or getting a relaxing full body massage.

Physical weakness may be a common part of aging, but physical challenges can be avoided by adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Families can also consider hiring professional Home Care. Sarasota families should opt for a reliable senior home care agency in there are to allow their loved ones to get assisted and enjoy a high quality of life without leaving the comfort of home.