Yoga and Restorative Exercises for Seniors: Easy Guide to Increased Mobility
As people age, they tend to become bored with the same old routine, especially when it comes to exercise. In fact, yoga and restorative exercises are a fun alternative to the ordinary for seniors, offering a wide variety of benefits, including increased mobility. So, this year, help an elderly loved one try something new and reap the rewards of a fun, new exercise program.
The Value of Prioritizing Mobility
Being able to move freely without pain is essential at any age but is of particular importance in people over the age of 65. As joints get tighter, bones become more brittle, and muscles weaken, it is crucial to find healthy ways to remain mobile. Yoga and restorative exercises can help to increase blood flow and lengthen muscles, which leads to better joint mobility. The newfound flexibility can make it easier to participate in activities once considered too hard to achieve, helping seniors maintain their independence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year, millions of older people – those 65 and older – fall. Statistics show that falls cause at least 95% of hip fractures, resulting in a significant decline in mobility. Regularly doing yoga and restorative exercises can improve balance, helping to prevent injury from unexpected falls.
Ideas for Getting Started
Yoga has become very popular among the elderly. In fact, many local senior citizen centers in South Minneapolis offer classes aimed at helping seniors improve mobility. The best way to start is to find a beginner class that teaches participants the safest and easiest way to maintain a pose. It is also important to realize a body's limit and never perform a move that leads to pain or discomfort. Over time and with regular practice, it will become easier. What's more, there are a variety of online resources available if someone does not want to take a class in person. YouTube videos, DVDs, as well as streaming services offer a full range of options.
Some basic yoga poses for seniors to start with include:
Chair Pose
Tree Pose
Warrior Pose
Downward Facing Dog
Cobbler's Pose
Restorative yoga is ideal for any age and a common practice that provides a feeling of overall contentment. Anyone Can Do Yoga and Practice Restorative Exercises. People of virtually any age or mobility level can start this practice. According to AARP, anyone in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond can receive the following benefits from yoga:
Minimize hypertension
Strengthen bones
Maintain a healthy weight
Reduce anxiety
Protect joints
Improve balance
Build strength
Sharpen focus
Boost mood
Building a mindful yoga practice has so many benefits that it makes sense to start today! Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis Can Help Promote a Healthy Lifestyle. Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis are dedicated to helping clients live healthy, active lifestyles. Our compassionate and experienced caregivers can implement a routine that includes yoga and restorative exercises to improve joint mobility. And, when daily activities become too much for our seniors to do on their own, we can provide trusted personal care services.
Contact us if you have an elderly loved one residing in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Minnetonka, or Hennepin County, MN, that can benefit from in-home care. Please call us at 612-470-2600 or visit our website at: https://www.seniorhelpers.com/mn/south-minneapolis.
Gifts for Grandma, Grandpa, or Aging ParentsIts no secret that shopping for gifts for grandma, grandpa, or an older parent, can be difficult. A life well lived also means theyve probably acquired everything they need for their day-to-day tasks. Do they really need another stock pot, blanket, or screwdriver? Probably not. And those kinds of gifts are BORING with a capital B. Why not find something thats new AND solves a problem?How do you buy a gift for a senior who already has everything?The trick is to find a present that adds value and independence to their life. As we age, things that we took for granted in our youth become much harder as the years pass on.One such example that many seniors struggle with is the simple task of clipping fingernails. The standard fingernail clipper hasnt changed for over 70 years. Its small and requires a surprising amount of vision and dexterity.Now imagine youre a senior with advancing arthritis or decreasing vision and what used to be a simple task is now a lot more difficult. Maybe you have MS or Parkinsons and fine motor dexterity is an everyday challenge. Or perhaps youre fully capable of clipping your own nails, but want additional convenience. Or maybe youre a caregiver and clipping fingernails is low on your priority list. Any way you look at it, theres no right or wrong reason to want a bit of independence.In fact, there are over 50 million people in the US alone who have limited dexterity, strength, or vision. And tens of millions more who dislike the messy and annoying process of clipping fingernails. If your parent or grandparent needs help, theyre certainly not alone.Get them something that makes their life easier.Introducing the ClipDifferent Pro: the easiest-to-use nail clipper on the planet. Its easily one of the best gifts for grandma, grandpa, or an aging parent.The ClipDifferent Pro is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind, automatic fingernail clipper that safely trims fingernails with the simple touch of a button. Its effortless, safe, leaves no mess, and is built to last.It includes FREE SHIPPING and a FULL GUARANTEE!It uses a bit of science, a bit of magic, and a few top-secret components that elevate the act of fingernail clipping from boring to holy cow!.Put simply, the ClipDifferent Pro utilizes a high-capacity, rechargeable NiMH battery to power a finely-tuned, patent-pending trimming mechanism manufactured with surgical grade stainless steel, to create the most seamless, clean, and nearly effortless fingernail clipping experience youve ever had. Dont Just Take Our Word For It Heres What Others Are Saying The ClipDifferent Pro is so simple and easy to use! Rollie Rodgers (Korean War Veteran and Living with Parkinsons) It gives me one more way to be independent. Rick Zeidler (Vision Loss) Ive won the war but its these day-to-day battles that we have to deal with. Rick Ebner (Living with MS) I think anyone will find the Pro fabulousespecially those who have challenges with fine motor skills. Geno Mucciacciaro (Disabled Veteran with Neurological and Central Nervous System Issues) Once you see the Pro work, its hard to go back to the old way of clipping your nails. Butch Donohue (Amputee/Limb Loss) Every home needs to have one of these! Tamara S. (Home Health Care Advisor) I need to buy one of these for my husband! Velma Hagar Ristaino (Author, Inspirational Speaker)
Elevating Compassion CareAging with grace and vigor is challenging. Being a caregiver for an aging loved one maybe even more challenging. Here are some innovations to help those you love are able to care for themselves and lengthen their independence.The Cassia Learning Lab director, Kate Ingalls-Maloney, suggests listing your concerns and then deciding, with some help, which technologies fit those situations. For example, is there a concern about leaving the oven or a burner on? Perhaps theres a worry about falling in the shower. On occasion, are daily medications forgotten? Be very honest with yourself and your family about what causes hesitation or concern. Then make your list.The top two reasons people move from their homes are medication errors and falls. Insurance companies may be more likely to cover home modifications and medication management devices that are designed to prevent these two situations. Waivers and private pay are other ways to obtain home adaptations or devices, and some vendors offer a try before you buy policy.Innovations to support seniors independence and peace of mind for their caregivers.Medication management systems There are many different kinds of medication reminders and dispensing systems: From a simple flip-top dispenser to a lockable electronic dispenser that can give alerts to both the person taking the meds and to his/her remote caregiver.Fall prevention innovations Easy to install lighting, with or without motion detection, can be affordable and also very effective. The adhesive-backed LED motion lights can easily mark a trail to the bathroom at night and provide a safe path. Other strategically placed night lights or touch lamps can also help to avoid falls.Grab bars systems In the bathroom, grab bars can be installed according to the users mobility needs. Newer models incorporate towel bars and toilet paper dispensers. Note: Its important to consult your physical therapist when installing grab bars. Non-skid flooring is another great way to help prevent bathroom falls.Wearable pendants or watches There is a variety of these on the market. They can detect falls automatically or be triggered to summon help if a fall occurs. In addition, there is now a wearable (but not noticeable) tracking device that inserts into a shoe or boot so that someone who tends to wander can be located using GPS technology.Safety in the kitchen There is no need to fear to leave the oven on if you have an automatic appliance shut-off sensor system. They can be installed in both electric and gas ranges.My mother is 93 and has very arthritic hands. Ive been clipping her nails for her. (I bought her a ClipDifferent Pro) and it will allow her to be independent when it comes to doing her nails. NancyFingernail care For self-care, the ClipDifferent Pro automatic fingernail clipper and Lil Nipper automatic fingernail clipper provides a way to safely and independently clip fingernails with no risk of harm or mess. Shop for Lil Nipper or ClipDifferent Pro here.Home voice activation systems Whole-home voice activation systems like Amazons Alexa or Google home, when installed correctly, can be very helpful for controlling thermostats, lighting, doorbells, TV, or calls for help.
What does self-care mean to you? Self-care is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact. Self-care can be small acts, such as your nightly skincare routine, or brushing your hair and teeth in the morning. Self-care can also be something like exercise, which takes a little bit more thought and effort, but in the end pays off big time. The list of benefits that exercise has to your mental health is long and truly amazing. Helpguide.org lists some of those benefits as:Depression: Studies show that exercise can treat mild cases of depression just as well as medication, but without all of the side effects that typically turn people away from these types of medication. Physical movement promotes many changes in the brain like reduced inflammation and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calmness.Stress and Anxiety: The way that stress and anxiety can affect the way your body feels, is truly something to think about. Getting up and moving can relieve the tensions of stress that your body may be holding onto.PTSD and Trauma: There is evidence showing that when you really focus on your body and how it feels as you exercise, your nervous system becomes unstuck and can move away from the stress response of immobilization that comes as a PTSD response. Some other benefits that come with exercise are better sleep, more energy, higher self-esteem, and sharper memory. The best part is, that these efforts that we can make to have better self-care do not have to be overthought. Incorporating exercise into your self-care routine can be as simple as starting small. There is no need to have a big goal of being able to lift crazy weights or go for mile-long runs. Begin with fitting in a couple of 15-minute walk breaks into your workday. This is not only a great way to start getting some physical movement in, but it also can increase productivity when you return to your tasks. Finding activities you enjoy and setting realistic goals are key to making exercise a sustainable part of your routine. Remember, self-care is about prioritizing your well-being, and it's important to do what works best for you. A great way to start practicing more self-care habits is to first look at your current habits. Are there some that could be removed? One that could be modified to be either a little harder or easier? Once you do that, you can easily reflect on what self-care needs you personally have, and then can find a way to fit them into your day-to-day life. I like to write these practices down in my planner so that I have reminders to create time for them, as I know its important for me to do. Now, we at ClipDifferent are by no means physical training experts, but we have a couple of things that have worked for us to better create a self-care routine. Here are tips from the ClipDifferent team:I like to have it in my head that I want to work out every day. I often wake up and look at my day and then try to decide when I can fit in an hour to move! But the other part of this is something that I stay true to even more than just planning to exercise. And that is to not beat myself up on the days that I just couldnt find the time. I know that there will always be tomorrow, and I can push myself a little bit harder for the lost time.Modify! If I had planned that I was going to get to the gym after a long day of work, and I come home just far too tired to get there I often opt for a walk outside instead of an intense gym session, just so that I am at least moving my body. Half the time, once I do this I come back in the mood to pump out some extra movements like squats or lifting dumbbells.I love to reward myself. Getting into the habit of exercise is hard, but so worth it. I often like to reward myself on those days that I really was not in the mood, but did it anyway. One thing to note, is that I try not to make a habit of this. It can be expensive and not always the healthiest. (Grabbing a latte every day after the gym will add up!) As you reflect on your own self-care journey, consider the power of starting small and being flexible in your approach. By examining your current habits and making intentional adjustments, you can tailor your self-care routine to suit your individual needs and preferences. Whether it's modifying your workout plans, setting realistic goals, or incorporating innovative solutions like ClipDifferent for nail care, the key is to find what works best for you and stick with it.Above all, be kind to yourself throughout the process. Self-care isn't about perfectionit's about progress and self-compassion. So, celebrate your successes, learn from setbacks, and remember that every step you take towards prioritizing your well-being is a step in the right direction. With dedication, mindfulness, and a commitment to self-care, you can cultivate a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.
Experience Exceptional In-Home Care with Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis & Surrounding AreaAt Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis & Surrounding Area, we prioritize creating safe, caring, and compassionate environments for all our clients. We offer ongoing communication and follow-up plans to ensure peace of mind for family members. Our complimentary, no-obligation in-home care interview helps families evaluate care options and develop a personalized care plan tailored to their loved one's unique needs.Over 90% of seniors wish to age in their own homes with dignity, but finding the right care can be daunting. We believe that securing the best care for your loved ones shouldn't be complicated. At Senior Helpers, we recognize the growing need for in-home care services and are passionate about delivering exceptional care to seniors in Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, and South Minneapolis.Our top priority is to provide the highest level of service to our clients. We have built an exceptional team of care professionals committed to leading the in-home care industry. We utilize proprietary risk assessment and mitigation tools, along with ongoing training and education programs, to ensure superior service.Feel confident that your loved ones are in good hands with Senior Helpers. Contact us today to learn more about our personalized in-home care solutions and how we can help your loved one age gracefully at home.
Discover Peace of Mind with Senior Helpers In-Home Care ServicesAt Senior Helpers, we understand the challenges families face when everyday activities and personal tasks become difficult for a loved one due to injury, medical conditions, or the natural aging process. When personal tasks require a little extra hands-on support, our compassionate in-home care services are here to help.Our dedicated caregivers are thoroughly screened, trained, and dependable, providing sensitive and confidential care that respects your loved ones dignity and promotes their independence. With Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis & Surrounding Area, you can trust that your loved one is receiving the highest quality care, tailored to their needs.We proudly serve the South Minneapolis community, making aging in place a possibility for seniors. Our comprehensive Personal Care Services include:Safe bathing assistancePersonal hygiene supportDiet monitoring and meal planningMedication remindersAssistance with dressingWalking and mobility supportRestroom assistanceExperience the confidence and peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved one is in capable and caring hands. Contact Senior Helpers today to learn more about our personalized in-home care solutions.
Alzheimers disease, a progressive and degenerative brain condition, is the most common form of dementia. Dementia itself is not a specific disease but a term that describes a group of symptoms, including memory loss and cognitive impairments, which interfere with daily activities. If your elderly loved one in the South Minneapolis area is suffering from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, caregiving can significantly impact your physical and emotional well-being. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, many families seek the support of home care professionals like Senior Helpers. As leading experts in Alzheimer's and dementia care, Senior Helpers can make life easier and more enjoyable for both you and your loved one. We collaborate with you to create a customized home care plan that adapts as your loved one's needs change. Our care team is extensively trained and experienced in providing individualized care and support, carefully monitoring everything from medication to daily activities. Our goal is to create a positive environment with activities that focus on what your loved one can still do, rather than what they can no longer do. We achieve this through our Senior Gems program. Trust Senior Helpers to provide the compassionate, expert care your loved one deserves.Senior Gems Program The Senior Gems program, created by Senior Helpers, offers effective strategies for supporting and caring for your loved one, from normal aging through late-stage dementia. By focusing on what is precious and unique about each senior, we can help your loved one continue to live a purposeful life at home. Changes occur as the disease progresses, but with a positive approach to care and effective strategies, Senior Helpers can support your loved one in maintaining a meaningful life. The Senior Gems program is based on the Gems techniques, strategies, and overall approach to care developed by Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC. The Gems classification system enables trained Senior Helpers caregivers to: Identify the characteristics of different stages of dementiaUnderstand what a person can still do based on their gem levelUse specific strategies based on gem level to care for our seniorsCreate the best plan for long-term individual care