Many older adults (95%) have at least one chronic health condition, and 80% have two or more. Some of the most common are arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, COPD, and kidney disease.
Your dad just went for his yearly physical and his doctor says he needs to lose weight and increase his activity. He has high blood pressure and also has pre-diabetes. His doctor wants him to get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day.
The problem is that your dad isn’t one to hop on a bike or use an elliptical machine. How can you get him to become more active? Have you considered getting him to take a daily walk?
Use Variety to Make It Appealing
Walking around the same neighborhood or up and down the same road gets boring. Make sure your dad has the chance to try new things. Head to a local park for a walk on their paved paths one week. Try an easy trail in a state forest next.
Your dad may love walking around an outdoor pedestrian shopping mall or along a boardwalk bordering a lake, ocean, or river. If there are any living history museums, look for senior discounts or free days for local residents and walk the grounds together.
Pair his walks with an activity he’ll enjoy. Bird-watching gives him something else to look forward to during the walk. Or, play golf, mini golf, or disc golf while walking. He’s still walking, but it feels less like exercise.
Make Sure He Has Comfortable Shoes
If your dad’s feet hurt while he walks, he’s not going to walk far. Make sure he has shoes that fit correctly and offer the support he needs. A professional shoe fitting helps ensure he gets shoes that he loves and that fit him.
Look for hiking sneakers that are lightweight if he’s going to be on dirt trails. If he’s walking on roads or paved paths, shoes designed for use on hard surfaces like concrete that provide shock absorption are best.
In addition to the shoes, get socks that wick sweat from his feet. Moisture-wicking socks help keep him comfortable and lower the risk of blisters. Another good way to avoid blisters is by testing the shoes on short walks to break them in.
Ask If He’d Like Company
If your dad is willing to take daily walks, make sure someone is there to encourage him. If he has company, he’s more likely to go. Leaving work every day to go for a walk isn’t always possible or easy, but elder care services ensure he has someone with him.
Arrange elder care services with ease by making a call. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about prices, and schedule caregiver visits.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-healthy-aging
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Braselton, GA, and the surrounding areas. Call (770) 965-4004 for more information.
We provide elder care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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