The Benefits of Dancing as an Activity in Your Parent’s Care

Senior Care Lexington NC

As a family caregiver you know how important it is for your senior loved one to stay as active as possible throughout their later years. Physical activity is essential for physical health and well-being, as well as mental and emotional health and cognitive functioning. There are many different options for activities that your parent can do to help them keep up with their needs, but one of the most effective and enjoyable is dancing. Many studies have shown that dancing is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise for a wide range of ages, including senior adults. Encouraging your loved one to participate in dancing can help them to maintain better health, well-being, and quality of life as they age in place.

Some of the benefits of dancing that your senior parent can experience in their later years include:

• Burn fat and calories. Whether your aging loved one needs to shed a few pounds or is just looking for ways to keep the extra weight off, burning fat and calories is key. The aerobic nature of dance means that your senior loved one will burn fat and calories while having fun.

• More oxygen flow. As your parent is moving around, their heart pumps extra oxygen through their blood. This helps all systems of their body function better and increases energy. Encourage your parent to move at their own pace, but to keep moving in order to maximize the benefits of dancing.

• Strengthen joints and muscles. Keeping your senior parent’s joints and muscles healthy is a critical element of maintaining their mobility, range of motion, flexibility, and balance. Dancing promotes this flexibility and range of motion, as well as strength and resilience. This helps to keep your aging loved one more active throughout their later years, and reduces their fall risk to help prevent potentially serious injuries that can have a tremendously negative impact on your parent’s function and quality of life.

• Social engagement. Dance is, by its nature, a social activity. Your loved one will spend more time engaging with others, talking, sharing, and making connections that help to stimulate their mind and support the mental and emotional health.

If you have been looking for ways to encourage your senior loved one to stay more active and engaged in the world around them, this may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can give your aging parent a highly personalized set of services tailored to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations, as well as their personality, interests, passions, and lifestyle. This means that they are able to enjoy a quality of life that is fulfilling, safe, healthy, comfortable, and as independent as possible throughout their later years.

When it comes to keeping them active and engaged, this senior care provider can encourage your loved one to find an activity that they enjoy and then support them in participating in that activity in the way that is best for their needs. This can give you peace of mind that even when you are not able to be with them, they are living a lifestyle that is physically and mentally active.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/155020-dance-exercise-for-seniors/

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Lexington NC, please contact the caring staff at Tender Hearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.