Facilitating regular exercise is an important aspect of elderly care. Fitness activities offer both mental and physical benefits but can be challenging for seniors with mobility issues or health conditions. Fortunately, many exercise options are available for everyone to partake in safely. To ensure your loved one maintains their health, here's what you should know about how to help them exercise.

Benefits of Fitness & Exercise

Along with a healthy diet, regular exercise helps seniors maintain a reasonable weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing certain diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on joints to ease aches and pains. It also improves balance and coordination, both of which are essential for older adults with decreased mobility. 

Exercise releases endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals that help regulate mood and positively impact stress levels. Studies also show that regular exercise can lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, even when performed later in life. 

Types of Exercise

Yoga is a top option for older adults. Along with being gentle and low-impact, it increases flexibility and improves coordination. Swimming and water aerobics offer cardio benefits with a much lower risk of injury than jogging or biking. For strength training, free weights can be combined with chair exercises to develop muscles. The goal is to perform activities that work out different parts of the body for a well-rounded approach. 

How to Stay Motivated

If you provide elderly care to a loved one, try to find ways to make fitness enjoyable. For example, gardening is fun and involves physical exertion. Joining an online fitness or dance class allows seniors to exercise while socializing. 

Not everyone has a natural affinity for exercise. In this case, start small and slowly ramp up activities to prevent your loved one from becoming discouraged. For example, start with a brisk walk around the block once a day. From there, try to schedule 30 minutes of activity at least four times per week for the best results. 

A senior care agency can also support your loved one in leading a more active life. In St. Louis, MO, Priority One Healthcare Services provides elderly care to older adults and their families. Their skilled health aides assist with personal care, meal preparation, and household chores. Whatever your loved one needs, they'll develop customized care solutions to provide a wonderful quality of life. Learn more about their offerings by calling (314) 776-9066 or visiting their website.