Being a family caregiver is one of the most important (yet demanding) jobs you could ever have.
If your older relatives are experiencing physical and mental declines, it’s up to you to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.
One of the best ways to do this is by encouraging them to be active regularly, but that can be difficult if you’re not sure what activities they’ll enjoy. To help with this issue, look at this article on fun (but easy) activities for older people.
Health Benefits of Outdoor Activities for Older Adults
Physical exercise is a great way to maintain overall health and it’s highly beneficial for older adults.
The gain in muscle strength and coordination can help with daily activities, like getting in and out of the shower or fixing meals.
One of the age-related dangers is osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures if not treated early enough.
The best way to combat this is to get people active every day through simple exercises like walking, running, gardening, or other light exercises that are fun but not too intense. If you’re concerned about your elderly relative starting an activity, speak to their carers at signature care homes to see how well they will cope.
Here are some ideas.
Walking & Hiking
Walking is an excellent way to get people active and encourage physical fitness even in older adults.
There are a variety of walking aids available, including walkers, canes, and hip protectors for seniors who need help maintaining balance.
The exercises can be done anywhere with short to long routes depending on your needs. Plus, if you want to go beyond the pavement, hiking is a great way to experience nature while getting in a workout at the same time.
Gardenin
Gardening is one of the best outdoor activities for seniors as it’s a low-impact exercise that doesn’t require much equipment.
All you need to do is choose an area with good drainages, like on top of rocks or gravel, and start digging.
Depending on your ability, you can make small changes like adding more fertilizer to the soil or making large swaps, like switching from grass to an automatic sprinkler system.
Camping or Picnics
Over the age of 65, many seniors have a fear of sleeping outdoors.
As a result, they’re often reluctant to start camping and or going on picnics, but this is less of an issue when you start small.
People often think sleeping on the ground makes them more vulnerable to bugs and other wildlife, but this isn’t true.
A good guideline for seniors is to find a place that’s safe for sleeping like a grassy field or park or use an air mattress for the night.
Biking or Cycling Events
Cycling is a great way to stay fit even if you’re older.
It’s also a very social activity as there are plenty of cycling events that have food and drinks to keep people entertained.
You can even organise an event such as a tour of parks, or for good weather, cruise around town for cakes and dumplings.