Why Ageing Adults Should Go Hiking

Exercise is important during the senior years, but it is sometimes challenging to get older adults interested in working out when they are bored with their normal routines. Today, many older adults enjoy hiking, and communities are starting to create safer walking trails that are perfect for beginners. Here are a few simple ways your elderly loved one can benefit from hiking.

Increase Balance and Flexibility

Over the years, seniors may experience some changes in their balance and flexibility. However, walking on slightly uneven terrains challenges the core muscles along with the joints in the feet and ankles that help seniors maintain their balance. Keep in mind seniors who are new to hiking should start out on slightly level terrain before moving on to more challenging trails.

Helping an ageing loved one with physical activities such as hiking can be difficult at times. Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Tweed Heads, NSW, home care. Services available in our customisable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.

Promote a Positive Mindset

Exercise is well known for increasing endorphins that are responsible for keeping people in good moods. Hiking takes this one step further by giving your loved one more exposure to green spaces. Researchers have found that exercising in a natural environment provides a mental lift that positively impacts a person’s emotions for the rest of the day. Look for natural trails with a lot of foliage that will give your loved one a beautiful view while working out. Make sure your loved one has a walking partner he or she can chat with while hiking.

Boost Cardiovascular Health

Hikes are slightly more strenuous than normal walks, especially if your loved one walks on natural trails or those with a slight incline. Walking on uneven terrain can increase your loved one’s heart rate, making his or her exercise more effective. A hike can also be modified by selecting different trails or adjusting your loved one’s speed so he or she gets just the right amount of blood flow moving through the body.

Break Out of a Boring Routine

Gym equipment such as treadmills are great for seniors to use when they cannot get outside because of the weather or their own health. However, spending about half an hour walking on a machine can be boring. When your loved one has a new trail to explore or new birds and flower species to discover, exercise may suddenly become something he or she enjoys.

Hiking is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their health and wellbeing. With the benefit of a government-subsidised Tweet Heads home care package, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life while ageing in place. Put your trust in Home Care Assistance to provide the care your elderly loved one needs and deserves. Our dedicated care workers are available around the clock to provide transportation, assist with cooking, and help with a wide array of household tasks.

Strengthen Cognitive Skills

Seniors need new experiences to increase neural activity in their brains. Help your loved one pick new trails to go on so his or her brain is constantly exposed to new stimuli. Make sure your loved one has a professional care worker or friend accompanying him or her on new adventures until he or she is familiar with the trail. This way, your loved one can build memories of new routes until he or she has an assortment of trails to choose from for hikes.

From hiking to cooking and cleaning, older adults may need help with a wide variety of tasks. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Tweed Heads respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your senior loved one, give us a call at (02) 6646 3527 today.