Helping loved ones stay active
Mohan's family is helping him to live an active and fulfilled life with dementia.
Mohan's family is helping him to live an active and fulfilled life with dementia.
It can be tempting to encourage our older friends or relatives to take it easy, but that's not always the best thing for them long term.
As we get older, our bodies change and we naturally start to slow down a little bit. If someone's been diagnosed with a health condition, or is living with long-term challenges like arthritis or breathing difficulties, it's understandable they might not feel able to be as active.
But too much sitting and too little movement can make people feel worse in the long run, and leave them more prone to slips and falls. So it's best to encourage your loved one to keep active, no matter how old they are or what they're able to do.
Does the person you want to help struggle with basic activities like walking around the house and getting up the stairs?
Here are some things you should encourage them to do:
There's no specific type of exercise people need to do as they get older, but activities that work your cardiovascular system are the best. This includes things like:
Lots of local Age UKs run classes tailored for older people. Find your local Age UK and get in touch to see what they can offer.
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When you find exercise difficult or aren't sure how to be more active, walking is a great activity.
Being active means something difference for everyone. Find the right activity for you.
If you find it hard to be as active as you want to be, we've got exercises and tips to help you.
Do you want to get active but aren't sure where to start? Find the answers here.
Find out more about how to look after your feet to help decrease your risk of falling.
Getting active at home doesn't have to be difficult. Why not try one of these short videos? They've been produced by...