Adding More Exercise to Your Parent’s Walks during Walk Your Dog Month

Senior Care in Shelter Island NY

January is Walk Your Dog Month. As a family caregiver, this is the ideal opportunity for you to find fun and engaging ways to encourage your elderly parent to get more physical activity in their daily routine by spending time outside with their furry companions. Many studies have shown that regularly interacting with animals can give your elderly parent a wide range of benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved mental and emotional health, better cardiovascular health, and more motivation to get more physical activity. While walking the dog on its own is physical activity, there are some creative ways that you can add even more exercise to their walk.

Try these creative ways to add more exercise to your parent’s walks during Walk Your Dog Month:

• Wear ankle weights. Talk to your elderly parent’s doctor about whether adding light ankle weights is a safe and effective way to help them burn more calories and strengthen their muscles and joints.
• Try different elevations. If your senior has good enough balance and footing, consider visiting areas that challenge them with different terrains. Even just slight changes in elevation or texture of the ground can stimulate different muscle groups and require more effort, increasing the effectiveness of their exercise.
• Set exercise stops. Many public parks have exercise stations set up along walking trails, but most of the exercises intended at these stops are too demanding for your elderly parent. Instead, establish your own. Do high-knee marching for 30 seconds at each corner. Do stretches or arm circles at the end of each block. Do assisted lunges or leg lifts each time that you see a bench. Get creative and have fun with how you can make your parent’s walk more active both for their body and their mind.

If you have been looking for ways for your elderly parent to get more active and live a healthier lifestyle, staring senior care may be the ideal option. A senior home care services provider can be with you on a customized schedule tailored to their specific needs, challenges, and limitations, and well as their personality, lifestyle, and goals. This means that your parent can stay safe, healthy, and comfortable, while managing their needs and engaging with the world around them in the way that is right for them. When it comes to tasks such as helping them take care of their pets so that they can gain all of the benefits of interacting with these precious animals, a senior care provider’s assistance can be invaluable. This care provider can help your parent remember their care tasks, provide support and assistance, and give them the confidence to take care of their furry friends and well as themselves so that they can both be at their best throughout their later years. This can give you greater confidence that while your parent is gaining the benefits of an active and varied lifestyle, they will also stay safe and secure according to their individual challenges.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care in Shelter Island, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.