It is important for older adults living with Parkinson’s to remain physically active. Exercise can help seniors with this disease enhance their gait, grip strength, flexibility, motor coordination, and more. If your aging loved one is living with Parkinson’s, here are some simple exercises you should encourage him or her to do.
1. Tai Chi
Your loved one can get the physical activity he or she needs by doing tai chi. The movements and deep breathing techniques can help seniors with Parkinson’s enhance their balance and overall quality of life. Practicing tai chi can lead to good posture as well as better mobility and stability. Seniors with Parkinson’s often have difficulty picking up their feet as they walk, leading to more slips and falls. However, tai chi encourages slow walking and helps seniors pick up their feet.
Professional caregivers can play an integral role in helping seniors participate in tai chi and other types of physical activity. Get in touch with Home Care Assistance Albuquerque to find out how a one of our caregivers can help your aging loved one live a longer, healthier, and happier life. Our caregivers are available 24/7, all of our senior care services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
2. Swimming
Swimming is an easy exercise for seniors with Parkinson’s. Aging adults living with this disease can swim to condition their muscles. Swimming is a low-impact activity that doesn’t put a lot of stress on the joints and muscles. Seniors who swim on a regular basis can increase their mobility and maintain their independence for a little while longer.
3. Leg Lifts
To perform leg lifts, seniors need to hold on to the counter while lifting one leg. Standing on one foot enhances balance. It is best for seniors to use the counter as little as possible to increase their flexibility. Leg lifts can make it easier to move around the home during the early stages of the disease and reduce the risk of an accident or injury.
If your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, consider 24-hour care. Albuquerque Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one manage the challenges of aging in place. Our proprietary Balanced Care Method was designed to promote longevity by encouraging seniors to focus on healthy eating, regular exercise, mental engagement, and other important lifestyle factors.
4. Vocal Exercises
Seniors with Parkinson’s not only experience balance and flexibility issues. They also experience speech issues and difficulty breathing. However, vocal exercises are a great way to alleviate slurred and mumbled speech, soft and monotone voice, and other vocal symptoms associated with the disease. Singing, taking deep breaths, and doing vocal stretches are a few simple vocal exercises seniors can do. Voice exercises can also help seniors with Parkinson’s enhance their posture.
5. Walking
Walking provides physical and mental benefits to seniors with Parkinson’s. While walking, the body removes toxins through sweat, which can enhance mood and alleviate negative feelings such as anger, embarrassment, fear, and confusion. In addition to feel-good endorphins being released in the body, walking can help seniors with Parkinson’s increase the body’s flexibility and range of motion.
When older adults develop Parkinson’s, their families are not always able to provide the care they need. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Albuquerque in-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your aging loved one, give us a call at 505-798-0800 today.
