Keeping an elderly loved one motivated to stay healthy, exercise, and participate in various activities can go a long way in maintaining his or her overall physical and mental health, but sometimes it takes an extra push to reach the point of inspiration. If you find verbal communication is no longer effective in encouraging your loved one to stay motivated, try some of these useful tips, provided by the staff at Mississauga Home Care Assistance.
Make It a Group Effort
Sometimes your loved one may need a supportive friend by his or her side while taking on daunting tasks or new challenges. For instance, if he or she is beginning a new exercise class, don’t just sit on the bench and watch. Instead, get in there and participate. Your loved one may put forth more effort if the activity becomes a partnership.
Utilize Specialty Tools
Specialty tools are designed to meet the needs of those who have lost or are experiencing a decline in their mobility and fine motor control. Utensils that remain stable despite shaky hands and jar openers that don’t require a firm grip can provide seniors with the ability to do the activities they once had no problem with. Using these tools can help your loved one feel more confident and capable of doing things independently.
Encourage Short Daily Walks
Staying physically active can add years to a person’s life. By encouraging your loved one to participate in even a short walk around the block, you can help promote his or her circulation, boost overall mood, and help ward off conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, bad knees, and strokes. Increased physical health may lead to greater energy, keeping your loved one motivated to complete daily tasks.
By taking just a few progressive steps such as these, you may soon see positive changes in the quality of your loved one’s life. However, there may be physical or mental challenges present preventing him or her from accomplishing some of these tasks. For those times you are not available to assist your loved one, a professional caregiver may be an effective solution. For live-in and hourly care Mississauga families trust, turn to Home Care Assistance. Our caregivers offer mobility support, help with meal prep, and provide transportation for your loved one. We guarantee you will be 100% satisfied with our senior care services, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. To schedule a free in-home consultation, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers at 905-337-1200 today.