Mental and Physical Exercises Are Essential as a Part of Elder Care

Elder Care in Thornhill

Getting enough exercise on a daily basis is important for many reasons.  Regardless of age, people should be encouraged to get exercise on a regular basis. When it comes to elder care, there are different exercises people can do to improve their physical health and well-being. It’s important to keep in mind that mental and physical exercises are essential components of positive elderly home care.

What does mental exercise mean?

Most people can quickly list various physical exercises. Those could include going to the gym and lifting weights, riding a stationary bicycle, running on a treadmill, swimming in a pool, and a much more.  Getting physical exercise is relatively simple. However, when it comes to mental exercise it may be difficult for some people to describe or explain exactly what this means.  Mental exercise is any activity that encourages the brain to work harder than normal.

The brain is a muscle. Just like every other muscle in the body, it requires exercise to stay in shape in peak condition. People who sit around watching TV all day are not getting the type of mental exercise that is beneficial.  As people grow older, the more likely they are to experience memory loss, have difficulty keeping track of various appointments, birthdays, and other information.  Memory loss can increase if they are not doing activities that challenge their brain and require thinking. This can create an even more difficult situation for their life in the long run.

How to get mental exercise

The best way to get mental exercise is through reading, playing strategic thinking games, doing puzzles, and even learning new subjects. There are numerous continuing adult education classes that could provide mental stimulation to help delay the onset of memory loss or even negate it all together.

The more exercise people get, both mentally and physically, the better their quality of life. For the senior who lives alone and has difficulty getting around, or who doesn’t truly understand how to get physical or mental exercise, consider talking to him or her about hiring a professional elder care provider.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care services in Thornhill, contact the caring professionals at Staff Relief Health Care 24/7 at 905.709.1767.