Maintain Senior Fitness To Stay Strong and Healthy

Starting a routine exercise plan is difficult at any age. Performing exercises is tedious. We would prefer not to dedicate the time. We're feeling the pain from yesterday's workout. We've all made excuses like these for not staying physically fit; but frailty and advanced age make it even more troublesome to stay with an exercise regimen and maintain senior fitness.

New Horizons In-Home Care wants to help the elderly continue to remain more physically active with ideas to overcome the following common senior fitness obstacles:

• Self-confidence: It’s natural for seniors to feel stressed with the idea of meeting exercise goals. It can help to begin slowly with exercises that are easy to master and progress over time; and, support the senior with consistent encouragement.
• Attitude: Attitude is vital when it comes to physical fitness. If approached in a negative way, it will be much more challenging to maintain an effective exercise routine. Choose activities that will be enjoyable and that the older adult will look forward to.
• Pain: The saying, “No pain, no gain” simply isn’t true. Aging adults should prevent overdoing it, and decrease the level of intensity if sensing pain or discomfort.
• Disabilities: Aging adults with physical or cognitive restrictions can and should continue to remain active according to their ability level. Consult the physician for a referral to a personal trainer or physical therapist who can put together a program of specialized exercises.
• Fear of Injury/Balance Problems: There are a wide range of adaptive devices to support safe, effective exercising while still improving senior fitness.
• Financial Concerns: It does not need to cost a lot of money to be fit! Walking and other simple exercises in and around the senior's home, using common household objects can be incorporated into an exercise program at little to no cost.
• Fatigue or Illness: Exercises can be individualized to match the older individual's energy level, and he or she may progressively increase the endurance level over time.

Keep in mind that the secret to ongoing positive results with an exercise regimen is to ensure the senior feels comfortable and safe with the plan and the exercises. If soreness is noted in muscles or joints the next day after exercising, a reduced intensity can be put in place; and check with the doctor if the pain or discomfort continues.

New Horizons In-Home Care’s caregivers will work hand in hand with your loved one's healthcare provider to create a safe exercise plan according to his or her abilities to improve strength, independence, and overall quality of life. Call us at 503-400-3000 or use our online contact form to learn more about the positive aspects of daily exercise in improving senior fitness and to discover more about how our senior care in Florence and throughout western Oregon can help!