One easy way for your loved one to stay healthy and continue to live independently is to develop a daily routine of stretching. While many people may think stretching is only important for those moments before and after exercising to help loosen and stretch muscles, or maybe after a big nap, stretching multiple parts of the body daily can help your elderly loved one in a variety of aspects of better health and living. An in-home physical therapy provider can help your loved one work on the areas of her body that need more flexibility so that she can live better and more independently.
Six Benefits of Stretching for Seniors
Routine stretches can help your elderly loved one improve both her physical and her mental health. Here are six areas that could be positively impacted by a regular stretching routine.
Stretching Increases Flexibility. The most common benefit that people think of at the top because increasing flexibility is a large benefit of stretching for seniors. Muscles that are supple and flexible are less likely to become injured when strained or used unexpectedly.
Stretching Lessens Pain. If your elderly loved one lives with daily pain, incorporating some daily stretches may help alleviate her pain. Back pain relief can be found by stretching the lower back, abdominal muscles, and thighs. Stretching can also help manage pain in the shoulders, neck, and knees.
Stretching Improves Balance. By stretching the lower parts of the body, many elderly find they have better balance, which in turn lessens their risk of falling and injuring themselves. It can also help with posture by stretching out the back and neck daily.
Stretching Improves Elasticity in Arteries. Some elderly individuals develop stiffening arteries as they age which makes blood flow more difficult in their body and causes health problems. Being flexible helps your insides be flexible as well. By being flexible enough to touch her toes, your loved one will improve her blood vessel flexibility.
Stretching Makes Walking Easier. One of the best forms of exercise for the elderly is walking, but if ankles and knees are stiff, it can be painful and unpleasant. By keeping those muscles flexible through stretching, your loved one will be able to walk more and walk farther, providing better daily activity levels.
Stretching Feels Good. Stretching after having to sit somewhere for a long time (like in a car) or after a nap, can just feel good as it reinvigorates those muscles and gets the body back to being ready to move.
At Home Physical Therapy Can Help with Stretching Exercises
While some stretches can be easily incorporated into your loved one’s day without assistance from anyone, if she needs more serious help with stretching to help with stiffness or to recover from a health event, having someone come to the home to work with her through physical therapy might be a great solution. Physical therapy at home helps reduce the need for finding transportation and traveling to a clinic for physical therapy that can easily be done in the home. With more flexibility, your loved one will be able to feel better and do more around the home, making her days much easier.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Physical Therapy Services in Alpharetta GA, please get in touch with 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!
- Four Ways To Celebrate Women’s History Month - February 19, 2025
- Six Benefits of Stretching for Seniors - February 5, 2025
- Tips to Help Your Loved One Declutter Their Space - January 20, 2025
