Without the right motivation, exercise can become difficult for your senior to keep up with on a daily basis. When you and your elderly family member find the right combination, she may find that it’s easier than ever to meet her fitness goals.
She Needs Some Goals to Work Toward
Two types of goals can motivate your senior when it comes to exercise: short-term and long-term goals. Long-term goals might be improving her health, losing a few excess pounds, and maintaining her independence. Shorter-term goals might include sleeping better, experiencing improved moods, and even reducing stress. Keeping track of why she’s exercising can help her to keep going even on those days when your senior would rather not exercise.
Track Progress Toward Those Goals
Once she has some goals, keeping a log and tracking progress toward those goals shows her that she really is making progress. This type of tracking can be complicated or simple, whichever suits your senior’s style. A calendar on the refrigerator can be just as motivating as a journal in which she writes more about how her workouts make her feel.
Rewards Work, Too
Your elderly family member might need a little more incentive, however. This is where reward systems can come in handy. Sit down with your senior and look at what she would truly consider rewarding when it comes to following through with exercise. She might consider a special outing a strong reward or she might prefer something like a book or something to add to a favorite collection. It’s a good idea to avoid food-based rewards, especially sweet treats.
Having a Strong Support System Is Essential
Your senior will find it easier to stick with her exercise program if she’s got a strong support system. Hers might consist of friends, other family members, home care providers, and you as her caregiver. Everyone can support her in different ways to keep working toward her fitness goals.
Everyone responds better to different motivations and the same is true for your senior with her exercise program. She might find that better health continues to motivate her, but that doesn’t mean that some of these ideas won’t come in handy.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Mount Prospect, IL, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.
