4 Ways to Keep Your Elders Active
No matter how old an individual may be, one form of exercise cannot provide all the benefits that multiple forms combined can. The same goes for seniors: they should incorporate several kinds of activities into their lifestyle, especially if they live in an assisted living community. Specifically, they should experiment with exercises that cater to all aspects of health: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. If your loved one resides in a professional caregiving facility, its staff can provide such exercises and motivation.
Tysons Woods Assisted Living is a small, assisted-living community that cares for patients from around Vienna, VA. We have two facilities wherein our staff treats residents with the utmost respect and kindness. Our goal is to provide a safe and loving environment for your loved ones in a free-living lifestyle, where they can feel at home and comfortable. To learn more about our services, call us at (703) 846-0395 or schedule a visit to see whether our facilities match your needs.
Below, we discuss four types of exercises to keep your senior happy, healthy, and in motion:
Endurance
Endurance activities aim to get the heart rate and breathing up. They improve heart and lung health as well as support the circulatory system. Universal endurance exercises that your senior can try include:
- Walking
- Light jogging
- Swimming
- Biking
- Going up and down the stairs
Moreover, since maintaining strong relationships is imperative for seniors living in care facilities, many of these activities work well with a partner or loved one. Building up endurance enables seniors to remain fit and keep in step with those who want to spend time with them.
Strength
Strengthening muscles can help your loved senior feel independent, capable, and strong. Simple tasks, like getting up from a chair or carrying groceries, become easier when one practices muscle strengthening. Such exercise is also simple to perform.
Lifting small weights, doing wall push-ups, and pulling a resistance band can help your senior practice strength training. Doing so at least two days a week will keep a senior in shape.
Balance
Probably the most important of all types, balancing exercises can help prevent falls and injuries. Combined with lower body strength exercises, balancing ensures that your senior can avoid accidents while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Some great ways that your senior can practice balance include:
- Standing on one foot
- Heel-to-toe walk
- Tai Chi, a “moving meditation”
Seniors can practice while watching television or talking with a friend. Indeed, having someone nearby is not a bad idea for a senior who wants to practice their balance and enjoy time with a loved one.
Flexibility
No matter one’s age, stretching can improve anyone’s flexibility. This capability enables your senior to lace up their shoes, grab the newspaper, or even put on clothes without help. Whether they practice specific stretches, such as an inner thigh or a back of the leg stretch, or general yoga, this practice will benefit your senior and their flexibility. A little effort truly goes a long way.
Assisted Living Facilities Available for Vienna, VA, Seniors!
The greatest benefit to living in an assisted living community is the adaptability it affords for exercises and activities. Seniors can practice them alone or with the help of a nurse. If you want to send your loved one to a facility where you feel confident they will receive proper care and attention, turn to Tysons Woods Assisted Living in Vienna, VA. Staffed by a dedicated team of nurses, we want nothing but the best for your senior. If you are interested in learning more, call us today at (703) 846-0395 or fill out our online form.
