How to Get Your Elderly Parent to Exercise

Elderly parents often complain about joint pain or muscle strain. Their sprightly walk may have slowed down to a shuffle and, after hearing the doctor's all-clear report, you wonder how to help them get active again. At any age, exercise is the key to an active lifestyle. But how do you get your elderly parent to exercise?

Senior Citizen Exercise - Doctor's Help

Keeping a line of communication open with your elderly parent's doctor is important. Find out if the doctor recommends exercise for your mother or father. If so, use that prescription to guide your parent toward exercise.

Also, before beginning an exercise routine with your aging parent, it is important to be sure they are physically able to do them. Do not try to do exercise that is too strenuous and may endanger your senior citizen's parents health. Starting out very slow is a good idea if your mother or father has not been active in a while. Doctors can help by recommending easy fitness routines, walking, or other activities.

Senior Citizen Exercise - Make it Fun

Exercise is never fun if it is boring or hurts too much. Do not expect your elderly parent to start jogging or using a treadmill in the basement. Why not take part in something your parent enjoys that also provides exercise? Your mother might like walking tours of public gardens. Your father might like visiting boat and fishing shows. Whatever your elderly parent likes to do can be translated into something fun which can also provide exercise.

Senior Citizen Exercise - Make it About You

Your elderly parent deserves to be treated with respect. Some people make the mistake of treating a senior citizen like a child: telling them what they must do for their own good. Do not tell your elderly parent that they must exercise. Instead, tell them that you want to do things with them, that you want them to be active and healthy. Most parents will do something for their kids, even if they do not really feel like it.

Getting your elderly parents to exercise can be vital for their health. It will also improve their quality of life. Senior citizens will respond to calls for exercise from their doctors or if it is made to be enjoyable.