Exercise for you and your parents
Regular exercise may be even more important as you get older. It helps you to stay strong and healthy, gives you more energy, improves self-esteem and provides a better quality of life.
It’s also important because staying fit will help you maintain an independent lifestyle.
If your parents could benefit from being a little more active, here are some ways to encourage them to get moving. Choose the ideas that are most suitable for their physical ability, interests and current level of activity. Even people in wheelchairs or who walk with canes can and should be active.
-
Go to a weekly class together. Folk dancing, line dancing, aquafit and yoga are great choices that can help older people build strength and maintain agility.
-
Tai chi is a non-impact exercise with many health benefits, and it can be practised by people with a range of physical abilities. Learn the basics at a community centre and do a set together on weekends.
-
Sign up for a mother-daughter walk — it will give you a goal to work towards.
-
Suggest to your parents that they get a dog. Not only will they need to walk their new pet each day, it will encourage other activity, like bending to pat and feed it and lifting when they pick it up.
-
Do the gardening together as a family.
-
If you have young children, encourage your parents to take them to the park.
-
A music night, complete with singing and dancing, is a great way to bond as a family.
-
Do the grocery shopping together — on foot, so you have to carry the groceries home.
-
Rent a tandem bicycle at a park and enjoy a sunny afternoon spin together.
-
Try a family bowling night for a different kind of outing.
-
If your parents enjoy cultural activities, visit a museum or take them on a gallery tour.
Remember to talk to your family physician before beginning new activities, and start out slowly. But it’s worth the effort. Being active as a family will keep you and your parents healthier and happier.