Seniors Need to Get Moving!

Monday, July 26, 2010 Goto comments Leave a comment Blog, Home Care, Senior Health Aging Care, Aging Seniors, care, caregiver, companion care, Elder Care, Home Care, Home Care for Seniors, home care sacramento, Home Care Sacramento CA, Home Care Sacramento California, In-Home Care, Sacramento Home Care, Senior Care, Senior Care Sacramento Ca, Senior Care Sacramento California

We all know we need to exercise more.  Even a little is better than nothing, and this is of particular importance for seniors.  Fear of falling is a legitimate concern for seniors who may fear exercising, but starting small and easy is better than not doing anything at all.  Medical advances have increased longevity, and for our elder years to be as comfortable as possible, the healthier we are the better.

Getting started may be as simple as buying a new pair of good tennis shoes.  Instead of being fearful, we should focus on the positive outcomes that will come physically, as well as mentally and emotionally.  Here are some goals listed in a recent Health Day article:

* Focusing on “process goals.” Ashmore said that means focusing on the current exercise session. “I am finishing 15 repetitions on the triceps press-down,” for instance, not: “I need to lose 20 pounds.”

* Buying a new bathroom scale. Get one that also gives body fat percentages, Hall suggested. Set a goal to reduce body fat and use the scale to periodically track the results of exercise.

* Thinking of exercise as social time. Socialization is linked with health benefits, so why not combine the two?

* Rediscovering your inner competitor. One participant in Halls’ triathlon training program told Hall his goal: “I want to beat Bill Hall.” Hall, a senior himself, said he laughed — but said it motivated him to do better in the triathlon, too.

* Accepting a realistic goal. Hall said he reassures seniors that they don’t have to run a marathon or even do his triathlon training to reap benefits. “If they can give us 150 minutes of exercise a week, that’s probably as therapeutic as you need,” he said. That’s just 2½ hours a week — and, he says, housework counts, too.  (Health Day-’Get Moving’ Can Be Vital Advice for Seniors, July 20 2010)

We can all benefit from these tips.  For seniors in need of help in the Sacramento California area, visit us at All For You Home Care.  We can provide companion care as well as personal care as needed to keep seniors happy and healthy at home.