Wellness experts use the phrase “diet and exercise” like a magic word, as if just saying it will make people healthier. But that’s just not how things work. Yes, eating right and getting movement are crucial to being heart-healthy—but they can be difficult, especially for seniors.
Here’s the thing: Most seniors want to exercise and eat right. They just face obstacles that make it hard to do so. Those barriers aren’t always obvious to family caregivers, so it can be hard to know what your loved one needs to stay healthy.
In our years of experience caring for seniors, we’ve learned a lot about how you can help them exercise and eat right. Here’s how to overcome the most common obstacles we’ve seen—as well as some resources right here in the Charlotte area to help make improving your loved one’s heart health accessible and fun.
How to Help Seniors Exercise
Getting regular exercise can be a challenge for people of all ages, and a variety of factors can make it more difficult for seniors. By making exercise more rewarding and overcoming barriers, you can help your loved one stay active and healthy.
Motivate Them With Group Classes
Many seniors feel lonely, so working out with a community is a lot more appealing than doing it alone. A regular low-impact exercise class gives your loved one the opportunity to connect and make friends. Find them a good group and they may start thinking of workouts as occasions rather than obligations.
Luckily, there are many local options. The YMCAs in the Charlotte area, Levine Jewish Community Center and Silver Sneakers all host fantastic classes in Charlotte.
Our favorite program is Ageless Grace, a chair exercise scientifically designed by North Carolina resident Denise Medved to stave off cognitive decline. Some of our staff members at FirstLight of Greater Charlotte are even certified to host Ageless Grace community classes. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in a class for your community!
Make Walks Interesting
Technology can help you turn a simple walk into an opportunity to explore the natural world. Picture This can fetch detailed information about over 400,000 plant species with just a photo. Merlin Bird ID is a birdwatcher’s best friend, allowing your loved one to identify birds by their sounds, listen to calls and build a digital scrapbook. These apps also give you something to talk about as you walk with your loved one.
Help Prevent Falls
Fear of falling is one of the most common reasons seniors opt to stay home. If your loved one struggles with balance, try booking them an exercise class that reduces the risk of falling, like chair workouts or water aerobics.
Otherwise, see what you can do to make their preferred workout safer. Accompany them on walks and offer an arm to lean on or help them get down and back up during yoga.
Get the Right Workout Equipment
It might seem simple, but just having the right equipment can make exercise a lot easier for many seniors. Worn-out shoes and restrictive pants don’t just feel uncomfortable; they can also make moving harder.
Make sure your loved one’s workout clothes fit and that they’re comfortable and easy to move around in. Pay special attention to shoes, which can impact balance. In addition, consider additional equipment like thicker mats or lighter weights to make exercise more approachable.
Address Cultural Barriers to Exercise
One of the biggest barriers to exercise is simply lack of exposure or experience. For example, many senior women we’ve cared for shy away from exercise because growing up, exercise was “something that boys did,” not girls.
Take the time to listen to their feelings about exercise. It may be something your loved one always wanted to try, but it never felt approachable. If so, an exercise buddy they feel comfortable around can help them come out of their shell. That person might be you, a friend or family member or even a professional caregiver.
How to Help Seniors Eat Right
You’ve heard the basics about a heart-healthy diet: Minimize salt, alcohol and red meat (especially if it’s processed). Unfortunately, that’s a lot harder than it sounds. In most places, it can be hard to find a satisfying meal without meat or salt, or an interesting drink without alcohol.
But here’s the good news: Charlotte isn’t most places.
We’re very lucky in Charlotte to have a flourishing culinary scene. With a wealth of vegetarian and vegan restaurants serving satisfying meat-free meals, your loved one will never want for healthy options. And there’s more to choose from every day thanks to Johnson & Wales culinary school, which is teaching local chefs to make healthy versions of popular foods.
FirstLight Home Care of Charlotte Helps Seniors Stay Heart-Healthy
A little more good news: you’re not the only one in town who can help your loved one stay healthy. FirstLight Home Care of Charlotte’s capable and compassionate caregivers will help your loved one access local resources that make their healthy choices happy ones as well
Whether your loved one needs healthy meals, an exercise buddy or transport to classes, our caregivers are there for them. But our caregivers are more than simple helpers. They’ll form a genuine bond with your loved one, becoming a trusted companion and friend who’s there to support them.
If your loved one needs help getting exercise or eating right, feel free to contact us. We’re here for them—and for you.