At Access Care, we are dedicated to keeping our home care clients as healthy as possible, which includes promoting an active lifestyle for those receiving live-in care.
In our next post, we aim to highlight the importance of keeping active and how live-in care can support and enhance a client’s physical well-being.
Whether through tailored exercise programs or daily activities, keeping active is so key for overall health and quality of life for our live-in care clients.
What Do We Mean by Keeping Active?
Keeping active encompasses lots of different types of physical activities that can be tailored to fit a person’s own capabilities as well as their preferences. It is not limited to rigorous exercise routines but includes any type of movement that keeps their body engaged and moving.
This could range from walking and gardening to dancing and stretching. The key is to find enjoyable activities that motivate someone to move regularly. In the context of live-in care, home carers can play a pivotal role in encouraging and facilitating these activities, helping to set routine exercise schedules for their live-in care clients and providing companion care and support during these activities.
This holistic approach helps to make sure that physical activity is seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of our live-in care client, helping to enhance their physical and mental well-being.
The Importance of Physical Well-being
Physical well-being is a cornerstone of a healthy and fulfilling life, especially for clients receiving live-in care. It is about more than just the absence of illness; it includes the overall condition of a person’s body and making sure that it is functioning as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Physical activity is a really key component in maintaining physical well-being, and it offers many key benefits:
Improved Cardiovascular Health: Regular physical activity, such as walking or cycling, helps to strengthen the heart and improves circulation, reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Enhanced Strength and Flexibility: Engaging in exercises like strength training or yoga helps build and maintain muscle mass and flexibility, which are both really important for daily activities and preventing injuries.
Weight Management: Regular exercise helps in maintaining a healthy weight by boosting metabolism and burning calories. This can prevent obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Increased Mobility and Independence: Staying active helps preserve functional abilities, allowing individuals to maintain their independence and perform daily tasks with more ease.
Enhanced Immune Function: Physical activity can boost the immune system, making it more effective at warding off common illnesses such as colds and infections.
Improved Sleep Patterns: Regular physical activity can improve the quality and duration of sleep by helping to regulate the body's internal clock and reducing stress levels.
Incorporating such activities into the daily routine of those receiving live-in care ensures they reap these benefits, fostering a healthier, more active, and joyous lifestyle.
The Impact of Keeping Active on a Home Care Client’s Mental Well-being
Physical activity doesn’t just benefit the body; it’s also really beneficial for good mental health.
When we exercise, our body naturally releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Our live-in carers often notice that their live-in care.clients who take part in regular activity have improved moods, reduced anxiety, and an overall better outlook on life.
Staying active can also provide a live-in care client with a sense of routine and normalcy, which is especially important for those home care clients who are living with conditions such as dementia.
THe Mental Health Benefits of Keeping Active:
Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Taking part in physical activities can really help to lower stress levels and reduce anxiety for live-in care clients. Exercise encourages the release of endorphins, which produce a feeling of euphoria and help combat negative stress.
Improved Cognitive Function: Regular physical activity can enhance cognitive abilities, such as memory and concentration. This is particularly beneficial for older live-in care clients, as it may lower the risk or delay the onset of cognitive decline.
Enhanced Social Interaction: Getting involved in group exercises or activities can provide valuable social interactions for home care clients, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Live-in carers can facilitate such interactions by encouraging group activities or community involvement.
Boosted Self-Esteem: Accomplishing physical activity goals, no matter how big or small, can help to boost a live-in care client’s self-esteem and confidence. This sense of achievement can be especially empowering for live-in care clients who are dealing with physical or mental health challenges.
Alleviation of Depression Symptoms: Regular exercise has been proven to reduce symptoms of depression. Physical activity can be a powerful tool in managing mild to moderate depression, offering a natural way to lift mood and enhance overall emotional well-being.
By including these types of activities into a live-in care.clients life, it can really transform their experience of receiving live-in care, as it helps to build a more positive and fulfilling lifestyle.
It is essential to tailor these kinds of activities to individual live-in care client preferences and capabilities, making sure that they are both enjoyable and effective.
How Keeping Active Can Help Boost Endorphins
Endorphins, often referred to as the body's natural painkillers, play a really key role in creating feelings of pleasure and overall well-being.
These neurotransmitters are produced by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland as a natural response to stress or discomfort. One of the most effective ways to boost endorphin levels is through regular physical activity.
When taking part in exercise, the body responds to the physical exertion by releasing endorphins, which interact with receptors in the brain to help to reduce the body’s perception of pain and trigger positive feelings, often described as a "runner's high." This can manifest as an improved mood, increased energy, and a general sense of happiness and relaxation. For live-in care clients, taking part in regular physical activity can be a really powerful tool for enhancing their mental and emotional health and well-being.
By including activities such as walking, dancing, or even gentle stretching into daily routines, live-in carers can help create an environment where endorphin production is regularly stimulated. This not only helps their live-in care client to manage any pain and reduce stress that they may be feeling but also promotes a more positive outlook on life, contributing significantly to the overall quality of live-in care.
How a Live-In Carer Can Help Their Client to be Active
Live-in carers play a really key role in supporting their live-in care clients to maintain an active lifestyle.
Here are several ways they can make a really positive impact:
Personalised Exercise Plans: Live-in carers can work with healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, to develop personalised exercise plans that align with the live-in care client's health conditions and physical capabilities. This ensures that the activities are both safe and effective.
Routine Implementation: Establishing a consistent routine is key to maintaining regular physical activity. Live-in carers can help to integrate exercise into the daily schedule, making it a seamless part of their everyday life.
Motivation and Encouragement: Encouragement from a trusted live-in carer can be crucial for maintaining motivation. Live-in carers can offer positive reinforcement and celebrate milestones and achievements, no matter how small, to keep their live-in care client engaged.
Supervision and Safety: Safety is paramount when taking part in physical activities. Live-in carers can provide close supervision to prevent injuries and ensure exercises are being performed correctly by their client.
Companionship: Engaging in physical activities can be more enjoyable with a companion. Whether it’s going on a daily walk, a session of light stretching, or a gardening project, having a live-in carer participate can make the activity more enjoyable and less of a chore.
Access to Social Activities: Live-in carers can facilitate access to community-based physical activities such as local fitness classes, walking groups, or dance sessions. These not only promote physical health but also offer social interaction, which is beneficial for a client’s mental well-being.
Adaptation to Preferences and Abilities: Understanding the live-in care client’s personal preferences and physical limitations is essential. Live-in carers can adapt activities to ensure they are enjoyable and feasible, thus promoting consistent participation.
Monitoring Progress: Keeping track of the live-in care client's progress can help in adjusting the exercise regime as needed and providing feedback to healthcare professionals for ongoing assessment and adjustment of care solutions.
By incorporating these kinds of strategies, home carers can significantly enhance the physical well-being of their live-in care clients, helping them lead a more active, healthy, and fulfilling life.
10 Tried and Tested Ways to Keep Home Care Clients Active
Here are ten ways our live-in carers help to keep their clients active, including modifications for those with limited mobility:
1. Morning Walks
Starting the day with a gentle walk can boost energy levels and set a positive tone for the day. For those with limited mobility, even a short walk around their garden can make a big difference.
2. Chair Exercises
Simple chair exercises can be really effective for those live-in care clients who have trouble standing. These exercises focus on strengthening the arms and legs, improving circulation, and maintaining flexibility.
3. Stretching Routines
Daily stretching helps maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness. Our live-in carers guide their live-in care clients through gentle stretches that can be done while seated or standing.
4. Gardening
Gardening is a wonderful way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Even planting flowers in pots can provide light exercise and a sense of accomplishment.
5. Tai Chi
This ancient practice is excellent for improving balance and flexibility. It’s a low-impact exercise that is suitable for all fitness levels and can be done indoors or outdoors.
6. Dance and Movement
Playing some favourite tunes and dancing around the living room can lift spirits and get the blood pumping. Even simple swaying or tapping feet to the beat can be enjoyable and beneficial for live-in care clients.
7. Household Chores
Light housework such as dusting, folding laundry, or setting the table can be a good way to stay active. It also helps live-in care clients feel productive and engaged in their daily routine.
8. Swimming and Water Aerobics
If accessible, swimming can be incredibly beneficial. The buoyancy of water supports the body, reducing strain on joints while providing an excellent workout.
9. Playing with Pets
Interacting with pets can be both joyful and physically beneficial. Throwing a ball or simply walking a pet around the garden or local park can encourage a live-in care to keep active.
10. Mindful Breathing Exercises
While not a physical activity in the traditional sense, mindful breathing exercises can help to reduce any stress that a live-in care client may be feeling and promote relaxation. These can be especially beneficial for those with limited mobility.
Recommended Daily Activity Levels for the Elderly
Maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity is really key for the well-being of elderly live-in care clients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organisations suggest that older adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. This can be broken down into manageable chunks of activity, such as 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Beyond aerobic exercise, it's also really important to incorporate muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week, focusing on all major muscle groups.
As well as that, including exercises that enhance balance at least three days a week is a really great idea as this helps to reduce the risk of falls. It’s essential to adjust these recommendations based on a live-in care client’s own personal health conditions and capabilities, making sure that the activities chosen are safe and enjoyable for them
Things to Be Mindful Of When Exercising With Home Care Clients
Medical Clearance: Before starting any new exercise routines, it’s key for live-in care clients to get medical clearance from their healthcare provider. This helps to make sure that they can engage in physical activity safely, considering any pre-existing medical conditions or limitations.
Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Including a proper warm-up at the beginning and a cool-down at the end of each exercise session can help prevent your live-in care client from suffering any from injuries and reduce muscle stiffness. Simple activities like light walking and gentle stretching are effective for these purposes.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can be a really big risk for older adults. Make sure to get your live-in care.client to drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise, particularly if engaging in activities in warm weather.
Listen to Your Body: It's key to pay attention to how your body feels during exercise. Stop immediately if your live-in care client is experiencing any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Consulting a healthcare professional if these symptoms persist is essential.
Proper Footwear: Wearing the right footwear can provide necessary support and stability, reducing the risk of falls and other injuries for your live-in care client. They should choose shoes designed for the specific type of activity being performed.
Avoid Overexertion: It's important not to push your live-in care client too hard. Exercise should be challenging but not exhausting. Start slowly and gradually increase intensity and duration over time.
Balance and Stability: Engaging in exercises that improve balance and stability, such as Tai Chi or standing yoga poses, are extra beneficial as they can help prevent falls. Make sure that these exercises are done with proper support or supervision.
Joint Protection: For live-in care clients who are living with arthritis or joint issues, low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling can be beneficial as they reduce stress on the joints while still providing a good workout.
Environmental Factors: Consider the environment where the exercise takes place. Make sure that it is safe, clear of hazards, and in a comfortable temperature range.
Rest and Recovery: Allow enough time for rest and recovery between exercise sessions. This helps the muscles to repair and reduces the risk of injury.
Activities to Be Avoided by a Live-In Carer and Their Client
While regular physical activity is really beneficial for elderly people, certain activities may pose risks and should generally be avoided by live-in carers and their home care clients.
High-impact activities, such as running or vigorous aerobics, can place undue stress on the joints and increase the risk of injury. Similarly, activities that require extreme flexibility or involve sudden, aggressive movements, like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or contact sports, can be quite unsafe for elderly live-in care clients. Weightlifting with heavy weights is also not recommended, as it can strain muscles and joints or lead to accidents.
Additionally, any activities that involve uneven terrain, such as hiking in rugged areas, should be approached with caution, if not avoided altogether, to prevent falls.
Lastly, exercising in extreme temperatures, whether too hot or too cold, can be really unsafe for elderly people, as they may have difficulty regulating their body temperature and could suffer from hypothermia or heat stroke.
It's essential for live-in carers to tailor the activities to the capabilities and comfort levels of their live-in care clients, always making sure that they are prioritising safety and well-being.
Who We Are at Access Care
At Access Care, we are dedicated to providing the very best live-in care services. Since 1994, we have been introducing professional, qualified live-in carers to their clients, across the UK.
Our mission is to ensure that your loved ones can remain in their own homes comfortably and safely, surrounded by familiar routines and cherished memories while also receiving the care and support that they need.
Our Core Live-in Care Services Include:
Personal Care – Help and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Nutrition – Preparing tasty and balanced meals and encouraging healthy eating habits.
Medication Prompts – Making sure that medications are taken on time and as prescribed.
Mobility Support – Helping live-in care clients move around safely and engage in physical activities.
Companionship – Providing social interaction and emotional support.
Housework – Taking care of household chores like cleaning, laundry, and shopping.
Hobbies and Socialising – Encouraging participation in hobbies and social activities.
Night-Time Care – Offering support during the night to ensure their live-in care client’s comfort and safety.
Beyond Keeping Active
Our live-in carers do much more than just help their home care clients stay active. They provide comprehensive care that encompasses all aspects of daily living. From personal hygiene to meal preparation, medication management, and companionship, our live-in carers are there to support your loved ones in every way possible.
Additional Services:
Short Term Respite Care – Giving family carers a much-needed break by providing temporary short term respite care for their loved ones.
Specialist Care – Tailoring care solutions for home care clients with specific conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's, or multiple sclerosis.
Rehabilitation Support – Assisting live-in care clients in their recovery process after surgery or illness by following tailored rehabilitation programs.
Transportation – Accompanying live-in care clients to medical appointments, social events, or errands to ensure they stay connected and independent.
Technology Assistance – Helping live-in care clients stay in touch with family and friends through video calls, emails, and social media, and assisting with the use of other technologies.
Wellness Checks – Performing regular wellness checks to monitor live-in care clients' health and well-being, ensuring any issues are addressed promptly.
Emergency Response – Being prepared to handle emergencies and ensuring prompt action to keep live-in care clients safe.
End-of-Life Care – Providing compassionate support and care for live-in care clients and their families during the final stages of life.
How To Reach Us
Keeping active is so essential for both physical and mental well-being, especially as we age. At Access Care, our home carers are dedicated to helping their live-in care clients stay engaged and healthy through a variety of activities.
We hope this blog has provided valuable insights and inspiration for family and live-in carers alike.
If you or a loved one could benefit from live-in care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 01264 319 399 or hello@access-care.co.uk.
We’re here to help you find the perfect live-in carer to meet your needs.
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