The cognitive and physical symptoms caused by Parkinson’s are progressive. However, the symptoms older adults experience vary according to several factors, including overall health and lifestyle. Roseville Parkinson’s care recommends that seniors living with the disorder regularly engage in activities to slow its progression and boost quality of life. Here are a few great activities your aging loved one can engage in while managing the challenges of Parkinson’s disease.
Kayaking
For seniors who are able to venture outdoors and get around independently, kayaking is a wonderful sport. Sitting in a kayak and paddling through the water is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while strengthening the upper body and arms. Being surrounded by nature has also been shown to elevate mood. Have a kayaking adventure with your loved one on a local lake, along a river, or out on the ocean. Your loved one can watch the surroundings for a glimpse of wildlife and experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commune with nature.
Reading to Children
When Parkinson’s disease progresses, the vocal cords and muscles that enable seniors to talk, eat, and swallow become weaker. By volunteering to read stories at a preschool or the local library, older adults can increase the strength and flexibility of these structures. The time spent volunteering also provides the chance to enjoy the company of a captive audience and make pleasant memories. Your loved one might also consider reading aloud or singing at home to reap similar benefits.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a home care service agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Performing Tai Chi Exercises
Tai chi is an ancient art that was once practiced by warriors who wanted to increase their physical strength and internal focus. The same benefits can be achieved today by seniors with Parkinson’s. Tai chi involves making slow, fluid movements that enhance balance and flexibility while encouraging controlled breathing. The movements aren’t stressful in terms of resistance. Senior centers, community centers, and city parks across the country host tai chi workouts. An aging adult with Parkinson’s can also find videos online to engage in the activity at home.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Roseville home care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Walking
Walking can be accomplished year-round, indoors or out, and it helps older adults with Parkinson’s continue enjoying independence by strengthening their lower bodies while getting cardiovascular exercise. Boosting heart and vascular health increases the neurons’ ability to receive the nutrition they need to continue functioning and making new pathways of communication. As the disease progresses, seniors must make a conscious effort to remember each step begins with the heel contacting the ground to walk safely.
Doing Water Aerobics
Water aerobics classes are another way to strengthen large muscle groups while enhancing balance and flexibility. Thus, seniors get the benefit of full-body workouts. The resistance of the water is sufficient to exercise muscles without damaging weight-bearing joints. The activity also provides a cardiovascular workout. When older adults do water aerobics regularly, they often experience decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. The cooler temperature of the water also provides a welcome relief from sweltering summer heat, which is beneficial because seniors with Parkinson’s tend to overheat easily. Taking a class also provides the chance to meet new people and form relationships, which prevents isolation and depression.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable in-home care. Roseville, CA, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.