5 Ways To Keep Your Elderly Relatives Active & Healthy

The cliche of “use it or lose it” holds true when it comes to both your body and your mind. That is even more crucial in the elderly. If they keep their minds and bodies active and healthy they will age more gracefully and will be more engaged in life’s activities for much longer. An active mind and body will help them to live a more full life. 

In order to stay healthy you need to keep moving. Whether your relatives move around inside or outside the house, getting in at least 15 minutes a day of activity is good, getting even more is best. If they’re able to get out and walk, it’s a great way to keep their weight in line and keep their minds active. Getting out will also give them a chance to get fresh air and keep in touch with the neighbors. Regardless of the level of activity that your senior family members are able to undertake, it’s still a fact of life that individuals over the age of 65 are more likely to suffer a trip and fall accident in the home. In the event of a fall or other health incident, if your senior is equipped with a medical alert pendant, he or she will have immediate access to a trained team that will alert medical professionals and family members offering peace of mind to all. 

If you’re a caregiver or are facing the question of trying to figure out what to do with an aging parent, here are 5 ways to keep your elderly relatives active and healthy:

• Read a book together or join a book club. If there’s no book club that you can find, start your own. Read the newspaper together and discuss current events. 
• Walk along the beach if there is one that’s close. Walk around the neighborhood. 
• Check out local senior centers or libraries to see if there are craft classes or computer classes for seniors. 
• Begin your own writers group. Meet up at a local library or senior center and work on a book of memoirs. It’s a great gift to hand down to future generations. 
• Consider joining a senior golf league. If your parents aren’t into golfing, consider joining or starting a gardening club. Share hints and tips about gardening and then plan a fruit and vegetable swap as the growing season gets into full swing. 

Depending on the level of your elderly parent’s health, look into clubs or groups that feed into their passions whether it’s boating, scrap booking, sewing, gourmet cooking classes or even bird watching. Being involved with others offers a feeling of community and gives your parents a reason to get up in the morning and keep them active and healthy.