There are so many reasons seniors might not be as physically active as they might want to be at this stage of life. Lacking equipment, fearing injury, or simply feeling unable to exercise regularly can all factor into the trouble. Home care assistance can help aging adults figure out what their barriers to exercise are and be creative about solving the problem.
Low Energy
One big reason seniors might avoid exercising is because they just don’t have the energy to exercise. While moving more can help seniors to boost their energy levels, that can feel impossible at first. Elder care providers can help by taking care of tasks that require a lot of energy from seniors. As they conserve energy from some of those tasks, they might find it’s easier to get moving.
No Motivation
Sometimes it’s just not exciting to exercise. Seniors may find that they don’t see a reason to move more, even if their doctors recommend it to help them feel better. Finding a specific reason to exercise can help aging adults get past this problem. Another good solution is to make exercise a social occasion, whether that’s by working out with home care providers or other seniors in a group. When they feel like someone else is relying on them, seniors may feel more motivated to show up.
Weather Trouble
Seniors don’t have to exercise outside all the time. It can be a great way for them to get some sun and fresh air, but outdoor exercise isn’t a requirement for moving more. This can be why trying out a variety of different activities, like mixing up walking on nature trails with yoga at home, can be so helpful. Having routines is great, but it’s equally great to maintain flexibility in those routines.
Lack of Equipment
Exercise equipment can get expensive and it can also take up a lot of space. Those are the two biggest reasons seniors might not have their own exercise equipment at home. Not knowing what types of equipment to get can be equally confusing. The good news is that seniors may not need much equipment. Using items they already have, like a full jug of water or a can of beans, can still allow seniors to get a workout.
Hating Exercise
It’s also possible that seniors just hate exercising. That’s not unheard of for people of any age and it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable problem over time, either. Even when seniors hate exercise, there is most likely some type of movement that they do like doing. Building exercise routines into other activities and movements, like starting a garden, lets seniors get more movement in while getting more enjoyment, too.
There can be a surprising amount of barriers to exercise, even for seniors who do want to be more physically active. Home care assistance can help seniors assess what might be blocking them and figure out how to get around those barriers. When they see results, that could be all the inspiration seniors need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care assistance in Minnetonka, MN and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
