Everyone should get exercise each day, but it’s especially important for seniors with diabetes to move their bodies. For people with diabetes, exercise has many benefits, including helping with weight management and keeping blood sugar levels under control. Ideally, your senior loved one should include several different exercises in his or her daily routine to avoid getting bored and challenge different parts of his or her body. These six exercises are all great for seniors with diabetes who are ready to boost their health.
1. Take a Long Walk
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for seniors with diabetes because it’s gentle on the joints and strengthens the muscles and cardiovascular system. Your loved one should take a walk at a comfortable pace but aim to spend at least 30 minutes a day walking. The best part about walking is that seniors can do it in different places and bring friends along to keep them motivated.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Arlington Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Go Swimming
Hopping into a cool pool is refreshing at any age, and this is the perfect workout for seniors who don’t like to sweat. Swimming is beneficial for a senior’s general health. Your loved one can also try other pool exercises, such as water aerobics, to strengthen specific parts of the body. Water provides excellent resistance similar to using weights, but it’s easier on the joints. Seniors with diabetes should never swim alone. They can inform lifeguards they have diabetes so the lifeguards can keep careful watch, or they can bring companions who know first aid for diabetic emergencies.
3. Dance to Some Upbeat Music
Dancing feels more like fun than a workout, but it works a lot like walking to give your loved one an opportunity to have more control over how he or she exercises. Ballroom dancing at a fast pace can burn some serious calories, or your loved one can move his or her hands and feet to music while sitting in a chair. Either way, your parent will be getting a heart health boost while having fun.
4. Ride a Stationary Bicycle
Some seniors might not feel safe riding bicycles on the road, but they can get similar health benefits from riding stationary bikes. Cycling is easier on the joints than other forms of exercise, and your loved one might be able to achieve two goals at once if he or she is also recovering from knee surgery.
Getting regular exercise can boost quality of life in the golden years. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of senior home care families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
5. Do Light Strength Training
Seniors sometimes forget they can still do some weight training, provided they take it slow and use lighter weights. Strength training builds muscle that burns blood sugar during physical activity. Seniors who are new to weight lifting can start with using soup cans or water bottles at home to do simple exercises. Bodyweight exercises are also safer for seniors who are getting used to doing strength training.
6. Learn a Few Yoga Poses
Taking up yoga is another thing seniors with a variety of different abilities can do. Yoga can involve doing some simple poses, and seniors can advance to more difficult ones as they gain experience. Yoga strengthens muscles and burns calories, and it also has a calming effect on the mind. Seniors who find their blood sugar fluctuates more during times of stress may notice that striking yoga poses can keep their glucose levels more even.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of homecare. Arlington Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities we provide to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. Give us a call today to find out how we can assist you and your family.
