If it were up to Leslie Tennyson’s 85-year-old dad, he would be happy to sit at the computer and play games or watch TV on most days.
She saw that first-hand after her dad took a tumble last spring and broke a bone in his hip. The spill sent him first to the hospital and then to a rehabilitation center before he could go back to his home in St. Augustine, Florida, with a care plan to continue his exercises.
“The problem is, he didn’t do them,” says Tennyson. So, she hired a physical therapist to come to his home twice a week to work on exercises to keep him active.
“It absolutely was helpful,’’ said Tennyson, who is now using this experience to guide her in selecting future home care services for her dad.
“Once he got the push, he could drive himself to the grocery store and get back to cooking -- a hobby he enjoys,” she said. “He needed some motivation.”
Staying active is one key to maintaining physical, emotional and psychological health for all adults and is especially true for aging adults.
While older adults may worry that becoming active may result in injury, the National Institute of Health (NIH) says staying sedentary is more damaging.
“Studies show that ‘taking it easy is risky,’’ the NIH says. “For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn’t happen just because they’ve aged. It’s usually because they’re not active.”
According to a U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health , there’s a price to pay for inactivity. Inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. And a lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses.
Tennyson said her dad’s surgery and subsequent therapy was the “slap in the face I needed” to start looking for home care services that will soon be necessary. The experience helped her recognize that she needs to look for a provider who will push her dad to continue his active lifestyle and one who will incorporate his hobbies.
The benefits of physical activity, according to that U.S. Surgeon General report, are numerous. Such activity has been shown to:
And if that isn’t enough, consider the benefits of maintaining social activities. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) points to research and studies that show aging adults who continue hobbies and social interactions are:
Like many family caregivers who struggle with bouts of caregiver guilt, Tennyson is cognizant that she likely doesn’t push her dad enough or recognize how to get him to pursue his hobbies.
But it is now at the top of her list of questions to ask a professional caregiver because she saw first-hand how her dad's health and his outlook improved.
She said she wants to hear a potential provider ask her dad what his hobbies are, what he enjoys doing around the house and she will then ask for a care plan to continue those activities.
Tennyson is looking for professionals to empower her dad, not enable him.
“I want him to be as independent as possible," says Tennyson. “I don’t want him to give in physically or emotionally. The organization that appeals to me will not just do the function, but will produce a positive attitude and atmosphere.”
There are four areas to concentrate on for your parent to remain or to get active. You can help Mom or Dad work on these a little each day. None of the exercises below require a gym membership and many activities can be done at home with the help of a home health care professional. Remember to have your parent talk with a doctor before beginning any exercise program.
These activities get the heart pumping and increase breathing. Focusing on endurance helps with everyday activities like walking up stairs and shopping. Encourage your parent to:
These help your parent’s muscles stay stronger and can help him or her with activities like keeping up with grandchildren and carrying groceries. Encourage your parent to:
Falling is a crucial worry among aging adults and for a good reason, as one in four Americans aged 65-plus falls each year. Focusing on balance exercises can make your parent more stable and reduces falls. Encourage your parent to:
These exercises are stretches that will help your parent remain limber. Staying limber will help him or her get dressed, put on shoes and take down or put away items on shelves. Encourage your parent to:
It is important to know about staying active is that doing something is always better than doing nothing. Starting slow is better than never starting.
You or your professional caregiver can also help Mom or Dad map their progress by keeping a daily log. The National Institute of Health’s Go4life has a downloadable one here.
For more information on home care services and how a professional caregiver can keep your parent active, click here.
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