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When your loved ones retire at an older age, you might notice that they start having a significant decline in their physical fitness and abilities. 

While this is normal as people age, neglecting their physical fitness can cause them to experience many health issues and injuries. Here are a few ways to help your senior loved ones stay fit and active throughout retirement.

Walk With Them

First, one easy activity that you can participate in to help keep your senior loved ones fit is going on walks. Going on a walk should be a manageable physical activity since it doesn’t require too much strain or strength on the body. If your senior loved one has already started having some physical problems, be aware of their energy levels and physical needs. 

If needed, slow down or take a shorter walk. However, letting them go without the physical activity of a walk can actually be more detrimental to their health. There are many health benefits of walking regularly as a senior. Keeping them active will help them stay healthier and live longer. Going on consistent walks can help your senior loved ones to maintain a healthy weight, improve their cardiovascular health, boost their mental health, and sleep better. 

Take Them to the Pool

Another way to help your senior loved one stay active and healthy is to take them to the pool. Many forms of exercise might not be as accessible as your loved one ages because their strength, agility, and flexibility will decrease. However, swimming is a great option for exercise as it works their entire body and increases their heart rate. 

You also won’t have to worry about your loved one experiencing unnecessary strain or injury when they’re swimming as long as they’re using good form and swimming correctly. Because swimming is easy on the joints, it’s a great exercise for seniors. Swimming together can be a great way to connect and stay healthy, and it can also help your loved one to get out of the house and socialize.

Do Stretches With Them

Finally, when you’re trying to add various activities to your loved one’s routine to keep them healthy and active, remember to include stretching. Even though stretching might not seem like a particularly strenuous workout, it has lots of health benefits, particularly for seniors. It can help to improve their strength, mobility, and range of motion. Stretching is an exercise that is almost always prescribed when seniors are recovering from an injury because it helps to restore their muscles and joints. If your stretching routine becomes too easy for your loved one, try adding a little more resistance. Adding resistance or circuits to your stretching routine can help your senior loved ones to build and maintain greater flexibility and strength.

So, if you’re trying to help your senior loved ones to stay active so they’re healthier and live longer, remember this article. You can walk with them, take them to the pool, and do stretches with them, among other activities. If you keep your loved one accountable, they’ll be more accustomed to including physical activity in their daily routine.

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