Exercising is an important way for caregivers to maintain a healthy weight, as well as prevent certain health conditions including heart disease, osteoporosis, and adult-onset diabetes.

Juggling the responsibilities of caregiving, however, can be a challenging balancing act. Especially when caregivers must remember their own well being along the way.

The National Institute on Aging says taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver.

“Finding some time for regular exercise can be very important to your overall physical and mental well-being,” says the National Institute on Aging at NIH. “Physical activity can help you increase your energy level so you can keep up with your daily caregiving activities.”

To motivate older adults to become physically active for the first time, return to exercise after a break in their routines, or build more exercise and physical activity into weekly routines, the National Institute on Aging created the Go4Life exercise and physical activity campaign.

The program offers exercises, an exercise video, an interactive website at https://go4life.nia.nih.gov, motivational tips, and free resources to help kickstart an exercise regime.

The National Institute on Aging reminds seniors and their caregivers that exercising reduces feelings of depression and stress, improves mood and overall well-being, maintains and improves physical strength and fitness.

“Physical activity can help you improve or maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks and plan activities,” says the National Institute on Aging.

The Institute offers these helpful ways for caregivers to be physically active:

• Take exercise breaks throughout the day. Try three 10-minute “mini-workouts” instead of 30 minutes all at once.
• Make an appointment with yourself to exercise. Set aside specific times and days of the week for physical activity.
• Exercise with a friend and get the added benefit of emotional support.
• Ask for help at home so you can exercise.

If possible, find ways to be active with the person you’re caring for. Both of you can benefit from physical activity.”

The Alzheimier’s Association agrees.

“The best thing you can do for the person you are caring for is stay physically and emotionally strong,” says the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. “It can help relieve stress, prevent disease and make you feel good. But finding the time to exercise is another story.”

The Alzheimier’s Association suggest these tips on exercising while caregiving:

• Take friends and family members up on their offers to help.
• You can get in a good workout in a short amount of time — even a 30 minute break. Use our Care Team Calendar to help coordinate a schedule where you have breaks to exercise and take care of your health.
• Start small. While it is recommended that you get 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week, even 10 minutes a day can help. Fit in what you can, and work toward a goal.
• Exercise at home. When the person with dementia naps, pull out a yoga mat and stretch, set up a stationary bike, or try exercise tapes.
• Find something you love. If you enjoy the activity, it will be easier to make it a habit.

When caring for patients with dementia, the Alzheimier’s Association says there are many ways caregivers can be active with the person with dementia. These are a few ideas:

• Take a walk together outside to enjoy the fresh air.
• Go to the mall and take a stroll indoors.
• Do seated exercises at home.
• Dance together to favorite music.
• Garden or do other routine activities that you both enjoy.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (888) 240-9101 for more information.