How to Motivate Aging Adults to Get Over the Fear of Exercising

Seniors should exercise on a regular basis to maintain good health. However, many family caregivers have difficulty motivating their loved ones to exercise. Here are a few things you can do to help your senior loved one conquer his or her fear of exercising. 

Address the Fear of Passing Out

As your loved one ages, his or her bone density, muscle strength, and energy may begin to decrease. However, regular exercise can boost his or her muscles, flexibility, and energy levels. The lack of strength and energy could prevent your loved one from working out because he or she is afraid to pass out. You can motivate your loved one by going over the health benefits of exercising and explaining that this activity can boost his or her overall health. The more your loved one works out, the stronger and more flexible his or her bones may become.

Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home senior care. Prescott families trust in Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. 

Encourage Exercising at Home

The fear of exercising may stem from embarrassment due to lack of mobility or being overweight. Your loved one may shy away from joining a local gym out of fear that others will mock him or her. You could work out with your loved one or hire a trainer to help him or her exercise at home. This could motivate your loved one to get fit and eventually go to the gym. 

Start at a Beginner’s Level 

Many seniors are afraid to exercise because they believe it is too difficult to do. The fear of not achieving their goals prevents seniors from doing certain things, including physical activity. Your loved one may put off exercising because he or she is afraid to fail. Assure your loved one that he or she is not in a competition and can exercise at his or her own pace.

Older adults may need assistance with exercising or managing other daily tasks. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Prescott, AZ, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver. 

Clear Pathways and Rooms 

Many seniors associate exercise with slips and falls. You can help your loved one get over this fear by making sure the pathways and floors in the rooms where he or she exercises are always clear. This may reduce the risk of slipping and falling.

Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Prescott families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation. If you need a high-quality at-home care plan for your senior loved one, call Home Care Assistance at 928-771-0105 today.

Visit us today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com 

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the breakdown of the macula, which is the region of the eye with the greatest visual acuity. This breakdown causes central vision to blur, making reading, driving, and sewing difficult. Because ARMD is a common disease in the elderly, there are several things you should know when providing home care in Prescott to help your loved one prevent or delay the onset of the disease.

The Disease Itself Doesn’t Lead to Blindness

The macula is responsible for central vision and allows us to see fine details. While ARMD can cause a loss of vision in this area, it doesn’t affect peripheral vision.

It Can Develop Either Slowly or Rapidly

In some seniors, the disease develops so slowly that symptoms aren’t noticed for a long time. In others, however, the disease can rapidly progress, causing loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Early Detection Is Critical

Because early symptoms sometimes go unnoticed, it is important for your loved one to receive regular eye examinations. If you or a Prescott caregiver notices your loved one experiencing any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment for him or her as soon as possible.

• Blurriness in part of the eye
• Seeing dark areas
• Blank spots that may grow and enlarge
• Distorted view

Though there is no cure for early ARMD, lifestyle changes can be made that may prevent the disease from further progressing. Additionally, your loved one’s doctor may recommend more frequent eye exams to check on the progression of the disease.

As the ARMD progresses, supplements may be recommended by your loved one’s doctor to slow down the progression. The disease can also be treated with injections, photodynamic therapy, and laser surgery.

Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent or Delay AMD

Genetics have been found to play a role in developing ARMD. People over the age of 50 are also at a higher risk if they:

• Smoke
• Get little or no exercise
• Eat an unhealthy diet sparse in fruits and vegetables

A recent study from the National Eye Institute found those with a family history of the disease were less likely to develop it when they made healthy lifestyle changes.

Does your loved one need help maintaining healthy habits that can lead to the prevention of ARMD and other complications? Home Care Assistance offers part-time and 24-hour care Prescott families trust, and our caregivers can assist your loved one with exercise, nutritious meal prep, and help with a wide array of other daily tasks. For more information on our senior care services, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers at 928-771-0105 to schedule a free in-home consultation.

Visit us today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com

Why Seniors Need to Get an Adequate Amount of Sleep

    

In a society focused on productivity, sleep is often viewed as one of the first things that can be skipped when times get busy. While cutting down on sleep is not good at any age, it is particularly hard on seniors. For older adults who need motivation to maintain their sleep hygiene practices, here are a few reasons getting enough sleep is important during the golden years.

Reduce the Risk of Fall-Related Injuries

Staying alert is critical for senior safety. Seniors who are overtired are more likely to make mistakes such as tripping over a cord. Simply going to bed on time each night helps seniors be aware of what they are doing during the day so they can reduce the risk of falling.

Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care. Prescott families trust in Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.

Enhance Memory Retention

Sleep deprivation can lead to brain fog. This is especially true for seniors who need time during their sleep cycle to renew the connections between the neurons in their brain. Seniors should strive to get at least six to eight hours of sleep at night to keep their brains functioning properly.

Maintain the Immune System

In addition to strengthening neural connections, sleep helps the body repair the injuries it sustains during the day. Proper sleep hygiene is often recommended for seniors who are recovering from an illness or injury. For some seniors, it may even be necessary to take a short nap during the day to get enough sleep while they recover.

 Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in home care. Prescottseniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.

Promote Emotional Wellbeing

Seniors may feel agitated from a lack of sleep, and they must watch out for mood swings caused by sleep deprivation. For instance, seniors may be prone to the symptoms of depression after a night of going without sleep. Ideally, a senior’s bedtime routine should involve dimming the lights and engaging in a quiet, soothing activity such as reading. Focusing on relaxing activities before bed can alleviate stress and help seniors feel better in the morning.

Increase Energy for Exercise

When recovering from an injury or illness, seniors are often prescribed therapeutic exercises that they may find challenging. For this reason, seniors should make sure their sleep is restful enough that they have the energy needed to complete their daily exercise routine.

Exercising during the day also helps seniors get better sleep, and maintaining good sleep hygiene can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Seniors with Alzheimer’s have much to gain when their families opt for professional Alzheimer’s home care. Prescott, Arizona, families can rely on compassionate and dedicated caregivers to help their elderly loved ones manage the various challenges of Alzheimer’s disease so they can enjoy a higher quality of life. If your aging loved one needs assistance managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of cognitive decline, turn to Home Care Assistance at 928-771-0105.

Changing the way the world ages!    

Visit us today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com