According to the Centers for Disease Control, 12.1% of U.S. adults have mobility issues. Many people with mobility issues are seniors. And seniors who have mobility issues often feel very frustrated.
Retirement is a great time to travel and try new hobbies. Seniors also need to stay healthy through exercise. If you can help improve mobility in a senior you care for, you should, as it will make them happier and healthier.
Read on to learn some ways you can help your senior loved ones improve their mobility.
Why Seniors Should Improve Mobility
Adults 65 years and older need to get around 150 minutes of exercise per week. Any senior adult with a chronic condition can start with a few five-minute exercises a day. Then they can build from there.
Building an active lifestyle can help improve seniors’ lives in the following ways:
- Reduces the risk of a fall
- Benefits one’s bone and muscle health
- Improves emotional well-being
- Betters mental capability
What Areas to Focus On
What areas of a senior’s body should a caregiver focus on improving the most? This can vary from senior to senior. A caregiver should figure out the weaknesses of each senior and help them improve these issues.
For example, say that there’s an older woman named Macy at a memory care community in Delray Beach. Macy is having trouble with her balance because she has poor hip and ankle mobility. A senior care worker should help Macy improve her ankle and mobility through various exercises.
How to Be More Mobile for Seniors
It’s important for a senior and their caregiver to consult a doctor first. The doctor can evaluate the senior’s capabilities. Then they can mention some exercises that the senior can and can’t do.
Do Low-Impact Activities
The doctor will likely suggest low-impact activities. These will offer fewer risks for seniors but will still provide them with many health benefits. Activities such as these include yoga, tai chi, walking, and swimming.
Use Stable Surfaces
For activities that require balance, seniors should stand near stable surfaces. These can include walls, counters, tables, and dressers. Seniors can grab onto these surfaces if they start to feel unsteady.
Go Slowly
Seniors shouldn’t do too much too soon. They should move carefully and slowly when doing these activities for the first time. It’s also a good idea to do them in few-minute increments at the start.
Get Assisted Living in Delray Beach
Just because someone becomes a senior, it doesn’t mean they should stop moving. There are plenty of ways seniors can improve mobility issues and turn to an active lifestyle. They and their caregivers just have to learn their limits and work carefully from there. Does your senior loved one need a senior living community in Delray Beach? If so, try us! At Inspired Living Delray Beach, we offer a luxury, resort-style community. Every resident we receive gets an individualized care and wellness plan. Take a look at our floor plans and pricing on this page.
