Q - I care for a gentleman in his 70’s who suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and after the recent loss of his wife, struggles to keep up with simple day-to-day tasks like maintaining the house and preparing meals for himself. While my job is to make sure that his house is up kept and he has healthy meals available to him every night, I’ve never been one to only do the bare minimum of what my job requires me; so I’ve tried to improve his health in any other ways possible. We’ve recently begun on an exercise program, as recommended by his doctor, which includes a combination of cardiovascular activities and resistance training. The main goal here, has not been just to improve his physical health, it’s also been to introduce an activity to help reduce stress at a time when he is obviously feeling overwhelmed and anxious about what the future has in store for him. Recently, when we were out for a walk around a park that’s near his Pasadena home, he mentioned that he finds our physical fitness routine is actually causing him more stress and anxiety. That’s not the point at all, so what am I doing wrong?

A – While your heart’s definitely in the right place, and exercise is definitely a great way to reduce stress; it is possible for seniors to feel more anxiety if the right approach is not used when beginning a new physical fitness routine. Here are a few ways for you to increase his enjoyment of his fitness routine, so it does help him to manage and reduce is stress as well as improve his overall health.

• Always choose activities that are enjoyable, otherwise seniors will grow to resent being physically active
• Avoid activities that are competitive to avoid creating natural tension. Seniors don’t need to do activities solo, but they should make sure that they avoid competitive sports and other physical activities that make them feel like they want to win
• Aerobic and anaerobic exercises can both help reduce stress. Seniors should incorporate 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise into their routines 3-5 days per week, and also try resistance training
• Don’t begin any activity without clearance from a doctor or assistance from a fitness professional. Seniors who worry that by completing physical activities incorrectly they will injure themselves, or are concerned about the affects upon their health can make sure these stressors are avoided

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Mayo Clinic

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Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

For many seniors, agreeing to accept help from a family member or caregiver is like the first admission that they’re aging and losing independence. That being said, it should come as no surprise that many seniors are reluctant to accept help, and even fewer suggest hiring a senior caregiver or moving to a senior residence or nursing home themselves. As a senior care specialist in Pasadena, once families have recognized that seniors need help at home, they ask me how they can convince their parents that it’s time to accept it.

While there is no answer that I can provide that will work to convince all Pasadena seniors that it’s time to accept help, it’s important to help seniors to understand that it’s about keeping them safe and making their lives easier; while helping them maintain their independence while living at home. Many family caregivers find that seniors may be willing to accept help when the options are out on the table, which can include assisted living facilities or nursing homes to help keep them safe and alleviate the burden of taking care of a home. When faced with these choices, senior care at home with a professional caregiver always looks like the more desirable choice. Seniors should also be aware that nothing is forever; if you choose to work with a reputable caregiving agency, if seniors are displeased, they’re able to cancel the caregiving services at anytime or request that a new caregiver come into their home.

Once families get over the hurdle of getting seniors to accept help, they’ll find that their elderly loved ones stress levels are reduced, and more often than not, their caregiver becomes one of their most trusted friends!

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.