In winter it can become more difficult to remain active in general, but even more so for the elderly. Adverse weather conditions are not only unpleasant to be in, but also present a variety of extra risks for your elderly loved ones. As a person becomes older they lose body heat at an accelerated rate, other changes that come with ageing can also make it harder to be aware of how cold the body is getting. Not only this, but icy or snowy ground can also present a fall hazard.
Despite the hazards, it is important for elderly people to remain active in order to maintain their health and wellbeing. There are a number of ways to keep active without leaving the house which also can be modified for various levels of mobility.
Why is it Important for the Elderly to Stay Active Year-Round
The average over 65-year-old spends around 10 hours of the day sitting down and being sedentary. Lack of activity over a period of time, including the length of a season, can make going back to being active in the warmer months more difficult, as the body won’t be used to being active. Lack of activity can lead to increased aches and pains and increased risk of falls.
Maintaining a good level of activity (recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise) can help seniors to maintain their health and therefore, an increased level of independence in comparison to if they remained inactive. This has a positive impact on mental health and self-esteem.
There are also a lot of health benefits that come from maintaining regular activity, such as lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. So keeping active in a safe way during winter is extremely important. Luckily there are a number of different ways to stay active and keep warm. It is also important, where possible, to have supervision for activities for older adults who may have lower motor skills and coordination. At Little Croft Care Home we encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for all our residents along with carers on hand 24 hours a day to ensure safety. Here are a few ways we recommend for seniors to stay active. If you have any concerns with regards to your elderly loved one starting a new type of exercise make sure they consult their doctor first.
Caring for Indoor Plants
Gardening has a number of benefits for the elderly, including being a good way to get low impact and rewarding exercise. In winter continuing with outdoor gardening is likely not possible, but indoor plants are a great alternative. It doesn’t matter how much space is available, whether it’s a greenhouse, conservatory, or even a well-placed windowsill. Having plants gives your elderly loved one an opportunity to carry out tasks such as watering, fertilizing, repotting, and pruning the plants which can be counted as moderate exercise.
At Little Croft Care Home, all of our residents have a room to call their own, which we encourage them to decorate as they see fit. This includes indoor plants to not only make the room look inviting but also encourage physical activity. This is a good option if your loved one finds it difficult to remain active in winter, but requires an increased level of care.
Yoga
Yoga is a great way to keep physically fit and enhance wellness. Though it doesn’t require classes, there are online classes that can be helpful when first starting out to stay motivated and understand the technique. There are also books and free videos available on YouTube which can be useful tools. Many parts of yoga will have multiple modifications to suit all bodies and maintain safety.
Yoga is much more gentle on the joints than other exercises such as jogging and promotes balance and flexibility, which can lessen the risk of falls. The nature of yoga means that there are a lot of poses (also called asanas) that are weight-bearing, which is great for the bones. Studies have shown that regular yoga practice for seniors can improve bone density and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
There are also other benefits to gain beyond the physical aspect. Research has shown that yoga can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol. In turn, this can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is especially beneficial for the elderly as depression and anxiety are prevalent in older adults due to isolation and fear associated with ageing.
Video Games
Video games can be a great way to stay active without realising. There are consoles available that promote active gaming by using motion detection such as the Nintendo Wii and Switch. There are a number of fun and colourful games available for these consoles to keep indoor exercise exciting and varied. You can choose games for your elderly loved ones which coincide with their interests or hobbies that may be harder for them to pursue in winter, such as dancing, golf or fishing.
Tai-Chi
Tai-Chi is a gentle physical exercise that involves flowing between a number of postures with gentle movement. It offers a number of physical benefits in a safe and low impact way, such as increased flexibility, better balance, muscle strengthening, and improved endurance. A lot of Tai-Chi movements can also be adapted for those with disabilities and wheelchair users.
Tai-Chi, also referred to as meditation in motion, has similar mental benefits to yoga as it includes mindfulness and a focus on the breath.
This is just a starting point for ways elderly people can remain active without having to go outside in winter, and there are so many other options. Here at Little Croft Care Home we regularly put on activities that our residents can take part in which promote an active lifestyle in a way that they can maintain their independence while having a care team on hand, should they need it. If you would like to talk about residential care, respite care or have any questions then get in contact with our team today.