Frequently performing several at-home activities may enable seniors to build their strength, balance, or coordination or reduce their falling risks. Caregivers or seniors can perform such moves in tandem to enhance their mobility or prevent mishaps.
Tightrope Walk
Resembling a tightrope walker requires you to hold your arms perpendicular to your sides, paralleling the ground. Maintaining your hands, stroll in a flat line, pausing for one or two seconds each moment. Work over 15 and 20 steps in this motion. When walking, keep your head up and gaze upon a fixed area.
Rock the Boat
In this exercise, start by putting your feet hip-width at length. Ensure that both feet feel pressed onto the floor with the same applied pressure. This may let you ensure that your weight is evenly distributed over your legs. Holding your shoulders backward or at head level, gradually shift your weight to one end, lifting the reverse foot above the floor a few inches high. Hold your leg there for as long as possible, but not more than 30 seconds. Next, slowly shift your weight back to your feet and repeat the motion on the reverse end. Try to redo the movement five times on every side to start and work up to more repeated moves as balance or strength go up.
Heel-Toe Walk
This exercise requires you to place one foot directly before the other so that the heel of your front foot and the toes of your back foot are connected every step. Based on flexibility, you may fully get your heels and toes to touch constantly, but that is fine. Try to get them close with no discomfort. Take about 15 and 20 steps in this direction.
Flamingo Stand
This one is rather basic. When gripping the back of a chair to balance, hold still on one leg with the reverse leg held out before you a few inches above the ground. Begin by balancing on one leg for ten seconds, then move on to the reverse portion. Strive to work on this on both legs five to ten times. You and your aged parent may feel that it is less of a strain to stand on one leg than the other; still, this happens all the time. Continue working on both sides equally to develop strength and firmness on the weak end. When performing the moves, it is necessary to keep good posture (push your shoulders back, your back lined up, and your head upwards).
Balancing Exercises
Beginning with these balance exercises may offer a solid foundation for more strength- and balance-building activities, including Tai Chi, yoga, pool aerobics, or more. Supposing a formal fitness program is not a good fit, try out the Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) Program to prevent falling. The Life Program blends strength and balance exercises resembling the ones above into daily workouts, so there is no need to take time off to work out. With any type of fitness regimen that may work best for your aged parent, try to clear all physical activities with a physician to avoid overexertion. Tai Chi may be customized to meet one’s needs.
Gardening Activities
Gardening remains a beautiful way to venture outdoors and maintain an active life. Digging out soil mounds and weeding or planting seeds may enable seniors to slow down and relax. Beyond this, they may reap the fruits of labor: gorgeous flowers or delicious vegetables. Roaming outdoors may improve your mood. The natural outdoors is filled with beautiful sounds, sights, and scents.
