You’ve heard for years that seniors need a good diet and regular exercise to maintain their heart health. You probably haven’t heard them acknowledge the very real barriers that seniors face which can make healthy habits challenging to follow.
It’s not that older people don’t want to get moving, eat healthy meals and stay engaged in life; it’s just that they face challenges in doing so that aren’t always visible. Reduced manual dexterity can make it hard for them to cook, eat or get ready to leave the house, while muscle weakness or joint pain can make many forms of activity difficult and unpleasant.
Here’s the good news: There are plenty of ways to help right here in Clearwater. Here are some of our favorites:
Heart-Healthy Things to Do for Seniors in Clearwater, FL
From easy walking trails and senior-friendly workout classes to exceptional medical care, Clearwater has plenty to offer for older people looking to maintain their heart health. Here are some of the best options:
- Take Them For a Walk
In most parts of the country, icy conditions and cold temperatures make walking outside during the winter risky and unappealing for seniors—but Florida isn’t most parts of the country. A few frosty days last month aside, it rarely dips lower than sweater weather.
In fact, winter is the best time for a brisk walk outside in Clearwater. Most days have a mild chill that feels good once you’ve been moving for a few minutes, and less sunlight means there’s a lower risk of sunburn. (Don’t let that fool you into skipping the sunscreen, though.)
There are plenty of walkways and waterfronts that make for senior-friendly strolling in Clearwater, but our favorite is the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail. This smoothly-paved, flat rail trail extends north to Tarpon Springs and south to St. Petersburg, but there’s no need to go that far. The Clearwater section isn’t just convenient, it’s also the most beautiful part of the trail, offering sweeping ocean views as it travels north and south along the waterfront.
- Find a Senior-Centered Exercise Class
From impaired balance and coordination to joint and muscle pain, many of the difficulties seniors tend to face can make exercise challenging and uncomfortable. If your loved one dislikes working out, the problem may just be that they haven’t found a form of exercise that actually works for their needs.
The good news is, they’re hardly alone. Difficulty working out is such a common issue for older people that wellness experts across the country have developed a wide variety of senior-friendly exercise programs. These programs draw inspiration from existing practices like aerobics, dance and martial arts and adjust them so they’re more accessible for seniors. Perhaps the best-known is SilverSneakers, which takes an “all of the above” approach by offering a broad range of classes for different movement styles.
As it happens, senior workout classes are incredibly easy to find in Clearwater. The Aging Well Center hosts three to five of them every single weekday, so your loved one will never be at a loss for options. Still, we recommend helping them find one class and stick with it. That way, they can become familiar with the instructors and their classmates, making it a regular social occasion they can look forward to.
- Find a Good Doctor
Eating right and working out might be great for your loved one’s heart health, but they’re no replacement for support from experts. Medical professionals like those at BayCare Heart and Vascular Institute have a wide variety of tools to ensure the best possible outcomes for seniors.
The team at BayCare is experienced with the most cutting-edge emergency techniques, but they also prioritize preventative care to reduce the odds those techniques will ever be needed. They know how to listen to seniors and their families, and they’ll work with you to develop a care management plan that actually works for your loved one’s needs.
If your loved one needs support following the care plan, consider looking into home care in Clearwater.
Find a Professional Caregiver in Clearwater, FL
It can be challenging for older people to maintain their heart health, but it’s a lot simpler in Clearwater than it is in most other places. From smooth trails and balmy weather that allow for winter walks outside to medical care from top-tier doctors and nurses, there are plenty of ways for your loved one to care for their heart right here.
If your loved one needs a little assistance maintaining their heart health, FirstLight Home Care of Clearwater is here for them. Our compassionate caregivers don’t just offer practical support with everyday tasks like bathing and dressing; they can also help by acting as a walking buddy, cooking healthy meals and more.
Want to learn what our caregivers can do for your loved one’s heart health? Contact us today.
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