If your senior parent is aging in place and you want to help them stay healthy you may want to help them create a home gym. A home gym gives seniors the option to workout at home if they don’t feel like going to the gym, or if the weather is bad and they can’t easily get to the gym. If your senior parent is living alone in the family home there are probably several good options for spaces that could be turned into a fun home gym. A home care provider can help your senior parent keep the gym clean and safe. And having a home care provider may help motivate your senior parent to use the home gym daily.
Some professional tips that you can use to create a safe and effective home workout space for a senior parent include:
Find The Right Space
Choose a space that is easily accessible now, and will be accessible for your senior parent in the future. A basement workout space isn’t a great idea for seniors who may have trouble with stairs in the future. Find a space on the main floor, near the bathroom, that can be converted into a comfortable home gym.
Talk To Their Doctor
Before creating a home gym for parents talk to their healthcare provider about what types of exercise they can do, and what type of exercises the doctor recommends for them. Make sure that you focus on getting the right equipment to help them pursue exercises that they are physically able to perform.
Get Cardio And Strength Training Equipment
Use puzzle mats that interlock on the floor to create a soft surface for your senior parent to work out on. Then choose at least one cardio activity they can do like rowing or cycling and buy a high-quality exercise machine that will be easy for them to use. Get weights for strength training and fitness bands and props to help your senior parent perform the exercises properly. Don’t forget to put up a TV for streaming workouts.
Get Stability and Balance Tools Too
Enhance stability and balance with tools like stability balls, balance pads, or a stability disc. These aids are particularly beneficial for preventing falls, a common concern among the elderly. Incorporate exercises that focus on improving balance to reduce the risk of accidents.
Make Sure There Is Comfortable Seating And Good Lighting
Include some comfortable seating options, especially if your senior parent needs breaks between exercises. Consider a sturdy chair for seated exercises or some type of sturdy bench that will be easy for them to get up and down from. Make sure there is plenty of good lighting too so that your senior parent can see well.
Safety First
Prioritize safety by securing loose cables, ensuring proper ventilation, and installing grab bars if needed. Make sure all equipment is stable and has non-slip surfaces. If your parent uses mobility aids, create clear pathways for easy navigation within the home gym.
Make It Fun
Make the home gym an inviting space by adding personal touches. Paint the walls with fun colors, stencil some motivational quotes on the walls, and add in some good speakers so your senior parent can play music during a workout. If the home gym is a fun space your senior parent will want to spend time there.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Chattahoochee Hills GA please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
- How Senior Home Care Supports Independence for Elderly Loves Ones in Palmetto, Georgia - November 8, 2024
- In-Home Care Makes Recovery At Home Easier For Seniors - November 5, 2024
- Celiac Disease and Senior Health - October 15, 2024