Senior Care in Robbinsville NJ

If your loved one is dealing with arthritis, then you know how painful it can be for her. One treatment that your loved one’s doctor is likely to recommend is exercise to keep her joints moving. This is a great opportunity for you as her caregiver to work out together. As your loved one gets some exercise, you can bond with each other and get some exercise in yourself.

Water Exercises

Any exercises that you do in the water help to relieve pressure on joints and takes impact completely out of the equation. You can do just about anything in the water that you can do on dry land, such as aerobics, jogging, or just swimming. The resistance of the water can give you both a little bit of a tougher workout, too.

Yoga

Yoga is perfect for so many aspects of your loved one’s life. It’s relaxing, it offers tremendous opportunities for stretching, and it’s low-impact so it won’t aggravate joint pain. Some people think that yoga isn’t really a workout, but it can help your loved one to lose weight and it also keeps blood moving.

Pilates

Much like yoga, Pilates is a great workout for strengthening, particularly core muscles, without damaging joints. Pilates is easy to adapt for all fitness levels, too, so neither you nor your loved one need to be especially fit or adept when you start out.

Biking

Riding a bike, whether it’s a stationary bike or out on the bike paths, is very low impact but it can get your loved one’s heart pumping. It’s also a great exercise to keep her hips and knees moving. If your loved one hasn’t done a lot of activity in a while, biking is an easy way for her to get active again.

Weight Training

The idea of training with weights can be a little scary for some elderly loved ones, but the key is to start out small and with the right equipment. If weight training is used in conjunction with physical therapy, it can help your loved one to get back on her feet more quickly after an injury. Resistance bands are a great way to get started without using any weights at all but still give your loved one a workout.

Walking

If your loved one wants to get started with an exercise plan without having to worry about any special equipment whatsoever, walking is the right answer. Start slowly and gradually work up to a greater intensity and longer walk.
Always be sure to keep in mind that your loved one is going to have good days and bad days with her arthritic pain. Exercise should help, but be alert to changes in pain levels and intensity and check with her doctor regularly.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home senior care in Robbinsville NJ, please contact the caring staff at Independence Home Care. Call today: 609-208-1111