6 Exercise Safety Tips for Older Adults

Physical activity can help older adults stay in good mental and physical shape, and making safety a top priority can prevent seniors from harming themselves when working out. Continue reading to learn about ways seniors can stay safe while exercising.

1. Follow Instructions

Modifying exercises for your elderly parent may be necessary to reduce the risk of strains and accidents. However, changing the movement altogether could cause safety issues. Consult with your loved one’s doctor when making changes to recommended workouts so you can learn which movements are suitable for your loved one and what changes could increase the odds of an injury. With the help of a professional caregiver, your loved one can exercise safely at home. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Winnipeg, MB, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break.

2. Don’t Overdo It

Although the routine your loved one takes up should be challenging, it shouldn’t be too overwhelming. If your loved one pushes him or herself too much, he or she could pull a muscle or break a bone. Your parent should know his or her body’s limits and try to stay within those parameters. Whenever your loved one feels overworked, consider minimizing the exercises until he or she is ready to increase the intensity.

3. Wear Appropriate Gear

Baggy pants, shoes that don’t fit, and exercise gear that’s too tight could pose safety risks. For example, if clothing is too tight, your loved one could strain his or her muscles when moving. If his or her shoes don’t fit, the odds of falling and breaking a bone or experiencing a head trauma could increase. Wearing appropriate gear is necessary, whether your parent is working out at home or going on hikes, jogs, or bicycle rides through the neighborhood.

4. Warm Up Properly

Warming up and stretching before working out can reduce the risk of muscle soreness. During the warmup, your loved one will raise his or her body temperature and increase blood flow to the muscles. It would also help if your parent has a cooling-down period after exercising.

5. Be Aware of Surroundings

To increase safety, your parent should pay close attention to what’s going on around him or her at all times when exercising. An older adult with vision or hearing problems should avoid working out without a family caregiver or other healthy adult present. A caregiver can help your loved one avoid bumping into objects and falling, which are serious safety risks associated with cognitive decline, memory problems, poor vision, and hearing loss. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading elder care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.

6. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration could cause safety issues for seniors at any time, but especially while exercising. When your loved one fails to get enough water and other healthy fluids, he or she could experience muscle cramps, headaches, and weakness. Your loved one should drink plenty of water when exercising to prevent dizziness and low blood pressure. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care service. Winnipeg families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (204) 489-6000 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.