Making long-term fitness plans is important for seniors, but it’s easy to get frustrated when it takes time to get clear results. When the effects of a healthy decision are felt more quickly, the experience can be rewarding and encouraging. Here are a few suggestions to help your elderly loved one start getting fit today.
Start Off with a Full Breakfast
Starting off each morning with a healthy meal can change your loved one’s entire day. Not only does this boost energy levels, but it can also help your loved one meet dietary goals in a much more efficient manner. If a larger or more complicated meal is out of the question, a quick fruit smoothie with hemp or whey protein might be all he or she needs.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Livingston families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Try Balance Exercises
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries in adults over 65. Carrying out a few basic balance exercises every day can provide almost immediate results and reduce your loved one’s risk of injury. The easiest exercise for this is balancing on a single foot for 10 seconds at a time with one hand placed on a sturdy piece of furniture.
Most seniors are able to enjoy the benefits of exercise, especially with the help of trained professional caregivers. Elderly home care 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.
Schedule a Quick Nap
The benefits of regular daily naps can never be overstated. Ongoing studies carried out by NASA have revealed naps not only increase focus, but they can also balance blood glucose levels. These studies claim an ideal daytime nap should be no longer than 30 or 40 minutes. As an added bonus, a quick nap can help your loved one avoid having another cup of sugar-laden coffee or soda.
Reach for Protein-Rich Snacks
Snacking is a daily habit for many seniors, and it can become unhealthy for those who aren’t careful. Instead of reaching for a bag of chips or some sweets, your loved one should consider a high-protein snack between meals. Options such as a hard-boiled egg or a handful of almonds can suppress the appetite and even boost the immune system.
If you usually help your loved one eat right and exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Livingston Assisting Hands Home Care can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (973) 406-4733.
