It’s important for seniors to remain active since it preserves their general health, strength, and mobility. However, due to a variety of obstacles, many seniors find it difficult to achieve the required levels of physical activity. Still, with their health and well-being in mind, it’s important to encourage senior’s to do everything they can to improve the amount of physical activity they get each day, which starts out with understanding exactly how much they need. The good news is that with the addition of home care assistance and support from loved ones, seniors can not only improve their activity throughout the day but also understand how doing so can benefit them in the long run.

Suggested Physical Activity Levels for Seniors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seniors should engage in moderate-to-intense aerobic activity, including brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes every week. This is doable in thirty minutes a day, five days a week. However, as the years pass by, this becomes harder for seniors, which is where home care assistance comes in. Rather than throw in the towel thinking they’re never going to get the right amount of activity, home care can help seniors start out slow and increase their progress along the way. In addition, they can help motivate seniors by celebrating the small victories and engaging in the activity with them. In addition to aerobic activity, seniors can focus on these other types of activities as well:

Muscle-Strengthening Exercises: Seniors can add strength training exercises a couple days a week, focusing on the main muscle groups. With home care assistance by their side, they can learn how to incorporate things at home rather than worry about having weights. For instance, canned food can easily act as a weight.

Balance Exercises: Reduced balance is something that many seniors worry about due to an increased risk of falling. For those seniors, adding balance exercises is a great idea. This can be done through yoga, tai chi, or even focusing on individual exercises, such as heel-to-toe walking or standing on one foot.

Flexibility Exercises: It’s also important for seniors to routinely do stretches to improve range of motion and flexibility. Yoga helps with this as well.

The Advantages of Frequent Exercise

Once seniors understand how much exercise they should get, they might wonder what benefits they can enjoy. Some of the benefits include the following:

• Better Cardiovascular Health: Lowers the chance of stroke and heart disease.
• Improved Weight Control: Assists in maintaining a healthy weight.
• Stronger Bones and Muscles: Prevents osteoporosis and muscle loss.
• Improved Coordination and Balance: Lowers the chance of accidents and falls.
• Better Mental Health: Enhances mood, lessens anxiety, and sharpens the mind.
• Enhanced Independence: Promotes the capacity to carry out routine activities and preserve autonomy.

It’s important for seniors to remain active in order to preserve their independence and general health. With home care assistance by their side, seniors begin to understand how much physical activity they need each day and what types of exercises they should focus on.

Sources:
https://familydoctor.org/exercise-seniors
https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/older-adults.html

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 home care assistance in Suwanee, 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.

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Valerie Darling

Founder, Owner at Home Care Matters

Valerie was born in Miami, FL and after a few family moves, grew up locally in the Marietta, GA area.Valerie is the oldest of 4 (3 younger brothers).She is married and has one child.Valerie is the Founder, Owner and CEO of Home Care Matters.Valerie’s mom, Dee, is the inspiration and primary driver as the how and why the business was born.Valerie says, “My mom is never far from our thoughts.Mom was an integral part of developing and starting HCM before she passed away.Our goal is to stay true to her memory and continue to honor her with the love, values, and ethics she taught us.”

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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