As she ages, it’s even more important that your elderly family member talks to her doctor about what she needs to do and to know about exercising. This is especially important if she’s planning to start a new exercise program.
How Much Exercise Is Right for Her
A common misconception with exercise is that more is better. That’s not necessarily the case, especially for your senior. Just a little bit of movement on a regular basis can give her results that really pay off for her without wearing her out or causing her injury. One of the things that she needs to find out from her doctor is just how much exercise is the right amount for her to be doing.
Whether There Are Activities She Should Avoid
It’s also vital to know whether there are specific types of exercise that are not right for her health needs. Training for a marathon might be off the table, but that still leaves plenty of other activities your senior can try. She needs to match up the exercise she’s doing with her abilities and with her health needs to get the best results from her new plan.
When She’s at or Beyond Her Limits
Being active within her limitations is the ultimate goal for your senior. Her doctor can help her to know what to look for so that she is more aware of what that means for her. For instance, if she’s dealing with lung issues, then pushing herself to the point where she’s extremely short of breath while exercising is likely too much. Slowing down or stopping before that point allows her to honor her limits in a way that makes sense.
Whether She Needs Additional Testing Before Exercising
It’s also possible that your elderly family member isn’t cleared for exercise at all until she takes specific tests. If she’s dealing with heart issues, her doctor may want to do some testing first. For lung issues, her doctor might recommend going through a pulmonary rehab program first, so that she learns more about managing her breathing before officially starting an exercise plan.
Having accurate information about how her health conditions affect her ability to be active is key to ensuring that she’s safe while exercising. Something else that helps is bringing in elder care providers. They can help your elderly family member to stick to her guidelines and be there if she accidentally does overdo it.
If you or an aging loved one needs Elder Care in Lincoln, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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