Older people are less able to cope with all that the winter weather brings. Icy conditions and freezing temperatures often mean that they are reluctant to venture outside and this has a knock-on effect on their health both mental and physical. According to the NHS UK some over-65s spend an average of at least 10 hours a day sitting or lying down but regular physical activity can help you to stay healthy.
Get Moving!
A certain amount of physical activity every week is essential for older people. If you don’t have mobility problems the recommendation is for 30 minutes of walking per day. The combination of aerobic and physical exercise is excellent for heart and lung health as well as strengthening the muscles. If you can’t manage 30 minutes then break it up into smaller segments of time and if you can’t get out of the house try marching on the spot, or dancing, for 5 minutes at a time. Doing exercise to music keeps it fun and enjoyable and helps you to keep up the exercise habit. This is something your live-in carercould help with.
Chair-based Exercise is Good Too
If you have health and mobility problems then it may not be possible to get outside much less take any form of vigorous exercise. Chair-based exercise has proven to be a great help for those with compromised mobility. This can include stretching out your arms and legs, bending from the waist both backwards and forwards and side to side, wiggling fingers and toes and rotating your ankles and wrists. If you need any further information on how you and your live-in carer can incorporate exercise into your day-to-day life you can find out more at the live-in care hub.
Eat and Drink Well
Eating and drinking properly is just as important as physical activity when it comes to looking after your health and well-being especially through the colder months. Whilst your live-in care provider can help with preparing and cooking food it is up to you to ensure that you keep up your intake of food and drink.
Keep Warm
Cold weather can make health problems, including mental health problems, worse so make sure you heat your home to at least 18°C.
Benefits of Staying Active
Physical activity helps older people in many ways. It can help to maintain a healthy weight whilst helping to boost the immune system and aid the digestive system. The heart, blood pressure, brain function and bone density all benefit from regular exercise. Not only that, it can help you to sleep better as well. Remember to warm up properly for a few minutes before starting any form of exercise to prevent unnecessary injuries. Stretch your arms and legs and gently roll your neck and shoulders.
Taken as a whole all this will help you to stay fit and healthy for as long as possible, throughout the winter and beyond.
