Ways To Keep Your Ageing Parents Active and Engaged

You must have noticed the changes in your parents as they are growing older. Chronic body pain or other health conditions can limit their activities. This also tends to make the once-active adults less active in their senior years You will find them trying to adapt, both, their social calendars, and physical exercise routines, to circumvent their new limitations. . You may also notice more mood swings in the elderly, with increasing listlessness. So, if your aging parents are struggling to keep up, help is at hand. We, at Ufinity Life are happy to partner with you to promote an active and engaged lifestyle and live a healthy life.

Loneliness and isolation are very common among seniors. Activity levels decrease with age due to multiple reasons. These include reduced mobility, as well as physical ailments. Remember, active older adults are healthy and happy older adults. However, to enjoy the benefits of increased activity and connection, your parents don’t need to run marathons or join a daily social club. They can do so by incorporating some basic activities into their routine life.

Encouraging parents to do some physical exercise may seem difficult, but you can start with the following.

1. Give them the reason, ‘why they need to’

Talk to them about why they must be physically active. Retirement takes a toll on their confidence. They might come to think there is not much to look forward to. Remind them that staying active after 60 years is twice as important because it makes them stronger, stimulates thinking, keeps ailments like Alzheimer’s at bay, and helps keep them independent.

So take out some time and speak to them, give them reasons to get up and move around. Discuss the changes in their bodies patiently, Emphasize how important it is for them to stay fit. To know more about the changes in the body of elderly people, click here.

2. Encourage them for a walk together.

A simple walk around the neighborhood can be a wonderful way to get your parents to do some exercise. It will also allow them to breathe in the fresh air, and you will have the privilege of a relaxed stroll with them. Nothing can be as simple as just taking a walk. Walking is gentle on the knees, and most elders benefit from it.

3. Find them a senior exercise program

Nowadays there are many RWAs, parks, and clubs that offer senior exercise groups programs. These are usually low-impact exercises, tailored for the elderly. Find one for your parents and encourage them to attend.

These classes will not only help them get physical activity, but they also foster friendships. Socialization can help them a lot. They will get to share their feelings with someone their age, with similar life circumstances. Loneliness can lead to mental illness among aging seniors. To know more about mental illness among older people, click here

4. Teach them how to video call

Thanks to cell phones and free apps, your aging loved ones can now chat with you, their friends, and their family in real-time. Video calls enable them to see their loved ones, however far away. This will keep them engaged, if not physically active.

Take the time to teach your loved ones how to use this technology, add contacts in their phones and set up times to chat with one another.

5. Find hobbies

. Help them find an activity they enjoy. Once they discover a hobby that they truly enjoy doing, they will look forward to doing it. Some such options that will keep them active can be dancing, music, gardening, brisk walking with friends or family, social causes, yoga, etc. These activities will keep them happy and fit.

6. Set realistic goals for them

Forcing or overdoing something can be counterproductive. You must keep in mind that age affects bone density, strength, energy levels, and metabolism. They will not be as strong as they were when they were younger. Hence, you must ensure that they are participating in age-appropriate activities. Also, set realistic goals that will not take a toll on their overall health. They will be motivated to do more when they accomplish each milestone.

7. Keep in touch with their physician

Consult your family doctor to ensure that the exercise or activity that your parents’ are taking up is not too tedious or exhausting. This is especially important if in they have health conditions to deal with. The doctor can also recommend some new things to add to the routine. You will stay updated on the health of your parents if you keep in touch with a doctor. The physician might also recommend some tests from time to time to know the exact health status. For knowing more about the necessary tests for the elderly, click here.

8. Hit the internet.

Thanks to the internet, now there is a quick way to find people with similar interests. You can teach them about the internet, and its uses. You can explain to them how to search for a local club where they might enjoy meeting like-minded people. They can try a veterans club, book club, bird-watching club, or gardening club, etc. In this way, their social circle will expand, keeping them engaged. They can also connect, talk and play games with their friends.

Try to keep the spark inside them alive. Help them stay focused and engaged in physical activity.

In case of any help, you can always reach out to us. The team of healthcare professionals and physicians at Ufinity Life will help elderly people more professionally. Based on an exhaustive and comprehensive study of your health issues, our doctors will create a holistic plan for you. And our health coach will help you adhere to the recommendations, and partner with you, in your journey for a healthy and active older life. We at Ufinity Life understand the importance of healthy aging and the importance of physical activity. Especially for elderly people, we have special care and treatment plans. We will provide you comprehensive and compassionate healthcare from the safety and comfort of your home throughout the period of treatment.

Join hands with us to ensure the continued good health & wellbeing of your loved ones.