Simple Walking Guidelines for Seniors

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Walking Guidelines for Older Adults in Winnipeg, MB

Walking is an excellent way for seniors to pass the time and enjoy the fresh air and smells of nature. The light physical activity can also lower an aging adult’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. However, your senior loved one should practice the basic safety strategies below to avoid accidents, injuries, and other issues while taking a brisk walk in the neighborhood or on a local trail.

Research the Weather Forecast

If the temperature is too warm or extremely cold, your loved one should avoid walking on these days. Hot weather could increase the risk of dehydration or heat stroke. When walking in colder temperatures, your loved one could experience stiff joints or heart problems. Your loved one should avoid walking on days when rain is likely because moving around outdoors in such conditions could raise the odds of slipping and falling, which could lead to more severe conditions like broken bones, traumas, and infections.

Wear Proper Clothing & Accessories

The gear your loved one walks in should fit correctly and make him or her feel comfortable. The type of clothing your loved one wears should coincide with the weather. For example, it’s appropriate to wear shorts or capri pants in the spring and summer months to keep cool, but your loved one could freeze when wearing these articles of clothing in the winter. Walking in shoes that don’t fit properly could lead to balance problems and increase the risk of falling. Measure your loved one’s foot before purchasing walking shoes for him or her. If you usually help your loved one walk for exercise but need a break now and then, hiring a home caregiver to take over on occasion is a great option. Winnipeg respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.

Don’t Go Alone

Try to have someone join your loved one while he or she is walking around town, through the local park, or on a nearby trail. When your parent goes on a walk alone, he or she could have an accident and fail to get immediate assistance. Seniors living with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s need to exercise, but with memory problems and difficulty making sound decisions, they might forget where they live or gravitate toward dangerous situations. Encourage your loved one to walk with trusted individuals, and stress the importance of carrying a mobile phone and wearing identification accessories. If your loved one needs help exercising safely, hiring a professional caregiver can be an ideal solution. Winnipeg homecare professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.

Understand Personal Limits

Pushing the body too much could lead to severe health issues, such as a pulled muscle or stroke. Explain to your parent that he or she must always listen to his or her body and stop when tired, sore, or noticing any unusual changes. Failing to stay within his or her limits could cause inflammation and circulatory problems. The objective of light exercise such as walking is to maintain physical fitness and boost quality of life, not to speed up the aging process or cause severe accidents and injuries. Assistance with exercising safely is just one of the benefits seniors receive when families enlist the help of trained professional caregivers. Home care service experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (204) 489-6000 today.

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  4. Simple Tips on Preventing Caregiver Burnout

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