Seniors who want to have some fun while boosting their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing may want to fit in some time for dancing. Here’s a list of dance activities your aging loved one might enjoy.
Zumba
Aerobic exercises, such as dancing to rhythmic music, can increase muscle tone and decrease body fat. As people age, an imbalance of fat and muscle can weaken the body and increase the risk of falls. Turn on fun, energizing Latin music and encourage your loved one to perform Zumba routines. Some of the moves incorporated in Zumba include a mixture of hip-hop, Latin, and jazz steps.
Seniors who need assistance with exercising safely can benefit from the help of trained professional caregivers. Edmonton home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Ballroom Dancing
Social interactions can boost emotional health, and ballroom dancing provides the perfect opportunity for your loved one to combine socialization with light exercise. Emotional wellbeing is important for older adults because the risk of depression often increases with age. Dancing increases dopamine levels in the brain, which can have a positive impact on your loved one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Ballroom dancing also requires partners to memorize precise steps and routines, which helps the mind remain sharp.
For families living in Edmonton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Square Dancing
Engaging in a fun square dance routine can boost mental health. This is because memorizing the steps involved in square dancing can increase concentration. Square dancing can be performed while listening to slow rhythmic music or fast-paced music, depending on your loved one’s comfort level. This type of dance can also boost cardiovascular health. Practising repetitive movements increases the heart rate and supports healthy blood flow to the body.
Yoga
Though yoga isn’t traditionally thought of as a dance, there are similarities among some of the movements. Yoga can increase strength, flexibility, and balance in older adults, and it can be a fun way to stretch muscles while relaxing the mind, body, and spirit. Encourage your loved one to practise yoga while listening to soft classical music or nature sounds.
Dancing while Sitting
Seniors who are unable to stand for long periods or have limited mobility can get creative and use chairs. Your loved one can turn on some music and practise any of the above dance routines while sitting. Your parent can stretch from side to side, reach high and low, kick his or her feet, and roll his or her ankles.
Even seniors who have mobility issues or health challenges can still get the benefits of exercise, especially with the help of trained professional caregivers. Home care service professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.