What Are The Best Exercises for an Immobile Senior?
Immobile seniors still need to stay healthy, and one of the best ways to do that is by encouraging them to exercise. An elder care provider may need to ask the doctor or physical therapist the best exercises for immobile seniors. Even if a senior cannot walk, there are still ways to stay strong and continue to build muscle mass. An elder care provider can do some research and encourage a senior to try it. Even 10 minutes a day can be a life-changer for seniors.
The CDC recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise a week. However, this may be a really high amount for many seniors, especially those who have never worked out before. This goal may make a senior feel like it is impossible. Instead of starting out with 30 minutes a day, develop a 10-15 minute routine that is easy to stick to. A senior can slowly work their way up to 30 minutes.
There are many chair exercises and even classes that cater to immobile seniors. An elder care provider will be able to drive the senior to physical therapy appointments to take notes on the best exercises. Or the eldercare assistant will be able to drive them to gym classes focused on chair exercises. If you require easy exercises to learn, here is a good place to start.
Best Exercises for Immobile Seniors
Elder Care Kentwood, MI: Immobile Seniors and Exercise
The best way to encourage a senior to stay active is to find gym classes that focus on seniors. Many yoga classes now offer chair yoga, easy pilate classes, and even aqua workouts. A senior may not be able to stand and walk for a long time, but they may be able to move much longer in water classes. Here are some other exercises to try out for a senior who has limited mobility.
Seated Toe Taps
Believe it or not, you can achieve a full-body exercise while being seated. This exercise is one of the best ways to engage your core and increase the leg’s range of motion. Have the senior sit straight up and engage the core. Ensure their feet are placed flat on the ground. When they are ready, lift the heels off the ground, so they are just on their toes. Then place the heels back down. They can do this 5 to 10 times as fast or slow as they need.
Seated Sit-Ups
This exercise is perfect for people who need to engage their core and maybe even reduce back inflammation. Have the seniors sit at the front of their chair, with their feet flat on the ground. Slowly they will lean backward, sucking their stomach in tight, and then once their back reaches the back of the chair, they will sit back up. They can do this 5 to 10 times to see results.
Light Weights
Arm curls can easily be done with very light weights. Although an elder care provider will need to ensure the senior is using the right amount of weight, so they don’t get hurt. There are many ways a senior can lift weights in chairs. They can curl them upward or lift them overhead.
If you or someone you know needs help with Elder Care in Kentwood, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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