ELDERLY CARE IN MINNEAPOLIS MN
You already know that your role as a family caregiver is about more than just making sure that your parent’s basic needs are met on a daily basis. While you want to ensure that they are physically safe, healthy, and comfortable, there is another side to your care efforts. Your parent’s mental, emotional, and cognitive health and well-being make a tremendous impact on their functioning, independence, and quality of life, which means that it is important to focus on both aspects of their well-being when designing a care plan for them. Helping your parent to stay physically healthy while also addressing their mental, emotional, and cognitive needs does not necessarily always require separate pursuits, however. There are many things that you can do that address your parent’s needs as a whole individual and guide them in living a higher quality of life as they age in place. One of these is encouraging them to maintain a more physically active lifestyle throughout their later years.
You already understand how important it is for their body for your parent to get enough physical activity, but it can be exceptionally beneficial for their mind as well. Some of the ways that physical activity impacts your parent’s mind includes:
• Reducing depression. Studies have shown that getting enough physical exercise can be just as effective as antidepressant medication to help handle many mild to moderate cases of depression. This means that your loved one can get the benefits of easing these difficult symptoms without worrying about the potential side effects of medication. This is thanks to the release of endorphins, reduction of inflammation, and production of activity patterns that help the brain to experience a sense of calm.
• Easing anxiety. Similarly, exercising regularly can be a natural and side effect-free way to manage anxiety. The release of endorphins and the process of being mindful when exercising help to produce a feeling of calm, well-being, and control. This is especially beneficial in types of exercise that encourage your parent to focus in on what they are doing rather than what is going on around them.
• Sharper memory. For elderly adults, anything that will sharpen the mind and improve cognitive functioning is a fantastic addition to their care plan, and physical activity can be just that. Getting regular exercise is shown to support a stronger, sharper mind, better memory recall, and faster cognitive processing.
If you have been concerned that your aging parent is not getting enough physical activity or simply think that they would benefit from a more varied and engaged quality of life, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting elderly care for them. An elderly home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule to give them a personalized set of services tailored to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations. This means that they will get the care, support, and assistance that they need at all times while still having the opportunity to pursue a lifestyle that is independent, fulfilling, and right for them as an individual. When it comes to helping them get more physical activity, this care provider can identify activities that your parent enjoys, plan activities and outings, and provide transportation to help them engage in the world around them when and how they want to.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/exercise-fitness/emotional-benefits-of-exercise.htm
If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
