Staying active at an advanced age may be a challenge for some people, especially those who are living in senior care facilities or nursing homes. Whatever their fitness level or health condition, health care experts say there are activities that help the elderly stay fit and mobile – to a certain extent. There’s no discounting the power of exercise or physical activity, and living in a retirement community is no excuse to become sedentary.
Find an Exercise You Enjoy
Nursing homes in Maryland implement an exercise program for their residents, but without the rigid training. Senior care in Maryland is all about keeping the resident healthy and improving his or her way of life. However, health care experts note that long term nursing home patients have different strengths and fitness limits. The age is not a deciding factor for their health. Some seniors are able to move fast and still walk briskly, while others need walkers, wheelchairs, or require lifts and trips to the rehabilitation center.
This is the reason what nursing homes in the Maryland area cannot simply require everyone to attend tai chi or yoga classes. Besides a thorough check on their health condition, patients in the retirement community are given options on what types of activity they like to do. Giving them something they truly enjoy doing – a stroll around the manor or taking the dogs to the park – can be a worthwhile activity.
A Maryland nursing home also has its in-house nurse or occupational therapist that can recommend the best type of activity for the elderly patient. The important thing is for them to like the exercise enough so they can do it regularly.
Keep Muscles Strong
A sedentary lifestyle plus advanced age will result in loss of muscle strength, experts from the American College of Sports Medicine say. Significantly slowing down one’s physical activity when inside a Maryland Health Care community can increase a patient’s risk. He or she can be more susceptible to falls, heart attacks, and other health hazards. The retirement community set up is different from the one they had at home. The place is smaller and they don’t need to do chores or the daily things they used to do. Additionally, they don’t go out to go shopping or pay their bills anymore, that’s what there’s less movement and activity in nursing homes.
Maryland Care Home officials say the best way to fail is to dictate or impose physical activities – even if i is for patient rehabilitation – to a resident. The elderly want options and variety when doing exercise. A resident also wants to be in the company of his peers even while inside a care center. This is why some nursing homes in street baltimore and other areas set up a stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical trainer and other indoor exercise equipment. These machines are good options for the resident who compare progress with another senior. Think of it as having an exercise buddy in their advanced age.
Balance is Key
Balancing activities like pilates and yoga are good for senior patients. It is low impact, not overly tiring, yet helps in muscle rehabilitation and overall body coordination. Some nursing homes in Maryland, particularly street Baltimore, do offer these classes or programs. Tai Chi is also a highly-recommended activity inside a rehabilitation center. These gentle exercises help with flexibility, range of motion, as well as hand-eye coordination.
Older adults can benefit from these kinds of exercise activities inside an elderly care center or in a nursing home.
For a resident who can barely stand, experts from Maryland s nursing home suggest chair exercises. Chair yoga is becoming increasingly popular inside nursing homes. The seated version still offers the resident the same benefits of yoga. It improves breathing, upper body strength while relaxing and calming the patient.
Water Activities
Swimming has and will always be one of the most recommended activities for patients living in nursing homes in the Maryland area. The weather here is ideal for both outdoor or indoor water activities and is a great way for seniors who have joint pains or have undergone surgical procedures. Water aerobics or swimming is good for cardiovascular health and is low-impact. Besides, splashing around the pool with your pals from nursing homes will always be fun. Doing this regularly will help improve blood pressure, muscle tone, and overall health.
Are You Strong Enough to Lift Weights?
Just because an older adult lives in nursing homes doesn’t mean he’s already physically weak. Some are there because of the nursing and health services offered or because their family would rather have them inside a secured environment. Some homes give patients a lot of freedom to exercise and do as they please. Besides swimming, there are tennis courts, golf club privileges, spas, and even gym access with personal trainers.
We’ve all seen them online. There are elderly who should be in nursing facilities but are still able to exercise and lift weights like nobody’s business. While we’re not aiming for them to compete in a bodybuilding contest, future care for nursing facilities does involve strength training and yes, maybe even CrossFit.
Nursing experts say it’s important to keep seniors strong and balanced. The strength training will keep them standing and walking for a longer period of time. Lifting free weights also help muscle tone and keeps the skin from sagging. It also prevents back ad hip injuries which are common at that age.
Keep it Simple
Patients cannot compare what they are able to do before in terms of exercise to what they can do now. The nursing homes will allow them to be physically active but within limits of their health and medical conditions – if any. If a resident can only take a light stroll in the park, that is all he will be allowed to do. On the other hand, if a resident can still lift weights, or do Zumba sessions, that’s perfectly all right.
Their needs are no longer as complicated as before, but nursing facility residents still need to exercise regularly, follow medical advice, and eat healthy nutritious meals to stay fit and healthy. Nursing homes aim to take good care of their patients and extend their lives for as long as possible.
Here at Bunny’s Home Care, we specialize in providing fast, high-quality home care services in Maryland for the elderly, ensuring they receive the encouragement they need. Contact us today for assistance in supporting your loved ones in our home care centers.