Staying fit is difficult enough in a person’s youth but maintaining good health into old age is even harder. There are more chances of becoming ill or injured as the years go by, which is why it is so important for seniors to pay close attention to their health. If you have an elderly relative you are concerned about, you might be tempted to help them retain their fitness, but you aren’t sure where to start. Here you will find some tips on how to help keep your elderly relatives fit and healthy.
Encourage Physical Activity
The sooner someone starts focusing on their physical fitness, the better. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s too late for your elderly relatives. It might take longer to notice progress, but small steps can make a huge difference to their heart rate, metabolism, and mood. Suggest activities they will enjoy if they have never shown an interest in fitness before. Cycling, swimming, and competitive sports are great for people who need some encouragement to get active. Even if your relative has mobility issues, there will still be an activity they can participate in to keep fit.
Think About Professional Care
Unfortunately, age can bring with it higher risks of health complications. If your elderly relative is finding it difficult to take proper care of themselves, you might want to talk to them about the advantages of moving into a care home. These places are created around providing a comfortable and pleasant environment focused on excellent wellbeing. You can visit signature-care-homes.co.uk to find out more information about what a care home has to offer its residents in terms of care, services, and amenities. If you are concerned that your elderly relative might be unable to look after themselves and could use some additional support, discuss this possibility with them.
Prevent Accidents
You can maintain your elderly relative’s health by making sure that there is a smaller chance of accidents happening in their home. This could be by installing handrails or a ramp to help their mobility, or by setting up an alarm system to alert you if they have an accident and can’t reach a phone. Identify their main risks and put solutions in place before an accident occurs.
Share Meal Tips
Eating well is a big part of staying healthy, especially as a person ages. Many people notice that they were able to eat whatever they wanted when they were younger but have since found that their digestive systems are no longer so forgiving. Encourage your elderly relative to try new foods, either by cooking for them, cooking with them, or treating them to the occasional restaurant meal. Habits are formed over a lifetime, and they become more ingrained as a person ages which means you might come up against some resistance when trying to inspire a love for new tastes. However, even simply replacing one item with a healthier alternative is a step in the right direction.
