Exercise for Elderly People

As we age, our energy levels can begin to deteriorate. Therefore, it is important to to keep energy high through exercise for elderly people, so we have compiled some top tips on how you can do this at home or in a care home.

elderly people exercising at a care home
What is a Residential Care Home?

Why is Exercise Important?

We all get slower as we age. Your body slows down as you age, aches and pains may be more likely, and you won’t necessarily have the same pace of life that you once did. What’s more, situational factors can make a difference. Passing of a partner or moving to a care home can cause us to slow down as we deal with certain situations.

However, it is important to remember that you can take measures to help maintain your energy levels. Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, and make sure to get enough sleep. If you do these things, you can help ensure that you have the energy to enjoy your life to the fullest.

Exercise for Elderly People

Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, both physically and mentally. Regular exercise can help improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and help keep you mentally sharp. It’s never too late to start getting active, so be sure to include exercise in your plan for a healthy lifestyle. When you’re doing something you enjoy and raising your heart rate, your body releases endorphins, giving you a boost that makes you feel good. This often lasts for a long time after exercising, making us feel energised.

As mentioned, exercise for elderly people is a great way to boost energy levels. Furthermore, getting outside into nature can be especially refreshing and energising. So try to get out for a brisk walk or cycle at least once a week and enjoy the fresh air. Furthermore, it provides us with the opportunity to meet new people or spend time with those we love.

If you’re not able to leave the home, there are plenty of other exercises you can do right in your living room. There are plenty of exercise videos and routines available online, or you could ask a friend or family member to come over and help you get moving. Yoga is a great way to get moving more gently. For those that are less mobile, chair yoga can still be very beneficial as a form of exercise for elderly.

Additionally, many care homes, including Hilgay, now have exercise classes for elderly available for residents. Be sure to check with the care home to see what’s on offer.

Boosting Energy Through Diet

Food is the main way in which we consume energy. The type of food you eat can determine how energised you feel at different times.

First thing’s first, eat a good breakfast! It is important to ensure that your body has enough energy to last you until lunchtime.  Some good breakfast ideas that will give you sustained energy throughout the morning include eggs on wholemeal bread (fibre is good for your digestion), porridge oats, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods are all packed with nutrients that will help to keep you feeling energised. Avoid sugary cereals and processed foods, as they will only give you a short-term burst of energy that will soon wear off.

Fruit and vegetables provide us with a multitude of vitamins and nutrients. Aim for 5 portions a day as this ensures we have all of the healthy nutrients we need. Try to snack on these instead of sugary or fatty foods. Whilst this can be difficult, it is important to create good habits.

Unsurprisingly, cutting down on sugar is important. Whilst they can create a short-term energy boost, they will quickly lead to a sugar crash. This is because when we consume sugary foods, our blood sugar levels rise sharply and then fall just as quickly. This can leave us feeling tired, irritable and craving more sugar!

Finally, it is important to drink a lot of water! Often when we feel tired, we reach for a cup of coffee. However, this can have the opposite effect as caffeine is a diuretic and will make us urinate more, leading to dehydration. Drinking water regularly throughout the day will help to keep us hydrated and feeling energised. This is particularly important when exercising. Whilst exercise for the elderly does provide us with energy, we use a lot of energy and water when exercising, so it is important to replenish this to stay energised.

Vitamins to Help Energy Levels

Whilst we get a lot of vitamins from the food we consume, there are ways to boost valuable vitamins in our bodies.

Vitamin B6

B vitamins play a key role in turning nutrients into energy, so it’s important to make sure you’re including the likes of vitamin B6 and folic acid (also known as vitamin B9) in your diet. These vitamins are found in high quantities in leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and even in Salmon or Tuna. So, try to include these foods in your regular diet.

Vitamin B12 & Iron

Both vitamin B12 and iron may help to reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue. If you’re feeling run down, then consider including foods high in these vitamins in your diet. Good sources of vitamin B12 include meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products, whilst good sources of iron include beef, chicken, eggs, fish, legumes (beans and lentils) and nuts.

Vitamin C and Biotin

Both vitamin C and biotin are important for the body’s energy production. Vitamin C is found in high quantities in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, as well as bell peppers, broccoli and kale. Biotin is found in a wide variety of foods, including eggs, nuts, legumes and whole grains. So, make sure you’re including plenty of these vitamins in your diet to help boost your energy levels.

Why Hilgay Care Home?

As we age, we begin to require extra help and support. That’s where we come in.

At Hilgay Care Home, we offer residential and respite care for elderly residents that require extra support. Furthermore, we understand the importance of nutrition and exercise for elderly residents to keep energy levels high. Our team are highly trained in providing nutritional and healthy meals to provide our residents with the nutrients they require. Furthermore, we run many activities, which include exercise for elderly participants. This gives our residents the chance to exercise, as well as socialise or pick up a new hobby. We like to keep spirits high at Hilgay, and our activities, including exercise for elderly is just one way we do this.

To learn more about our care home, explore our website or contact us on 01444 244756 or email us at info@hilgaycarehome.co.uk. Our team would love to discuss our care plans with you and invite you to take a visit.

Article: Phoenix Marketing