Caregiver Fun: Getting Out and Exercising with Your Parents during National Bike Month

Caregivers in Dallas, TX – May is National Bike Month: Make Plans to Celebrate Now!

You know how important it is to get the physical exercise you need on a regular basis in order to keep your weight in check and maintain health. As a family caregiver for elderly parents you also know that it is important for you to encourage this same level of activity with your seniors. Many seniors slip into a largely sedentary lifestyle as they get older due to a variety of factors including physical, mobility, and cognitive challenges, no longer working or driving, or just distance from friends and family. Encouraging your aging parents to stay active wards off many health concerns, boosts mental health and stability, and encourages them to live longer, happier lives.

Finding ways to incorporate exercise into your caregiver plans can seem daunting, particularly when your parents are stubborn or you have little time. Introducing a fun activity, however, can take care of your need for physical exercise while just seeming like something new to do together. May is National Bike Month, so take this opportunity to get out, get active, and start biking with your elderly parents.

When you were a child, biking was more about the fun and freedom than anything else. You probably did not even realize that you were actually exercising. Now that you are older, however, you realize that the act of riding a bicycle requires several physical actions that work out the entire body. You must use your core to balance, the muscles and joints in your legs and hips to pedal, and the muscles in your arms to stay steady and steer. All of this adds up to a fantastic cardiovascular and conditioning workout. People of all ages from little toddlers all the way up to seniors can enjoy the benefits of biking. If your parents have not been on a bike in a while, though, it is important to take your time and help them acclimate to the activity so they can enjoy it safely.

Try some of these tips for making biking a routine part of your care relationship with your aging parents:

• Find the right bike. Having the right bike is essential for safety and comfort. Bring your elderly parents to a store specializing in bicycles so professionals can measure them and determine what size and style of bike is right for them. Keep in mind the terrain you intend to traverse on your bikes so you can choose the right tires to keep you steady and moving smoothly

• Wear safety gear. You are an adult now but that does not mean you can get away with not wearing your helmet. Proper safety gear is vital for keeping you safe if you happen to take a tumble while riding. Make sure you and both of your aging parents have proper helmets, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards

• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration leads to fatigue, muscle cramps, and disorientation, all of which are quite dangerous when you are riding a bike. Make sure to drink plenty of water before heading out on your ride as well as during the excursion to keep you properly hydrated and focused

• Take it slow. Riding a bike may not seem as strenuous as other types of activity, but if you push yourself too far you could experience exhaustion, cramping, and plenty of soreness the next day. As with any new activity, start biking with short rides on flat, smooth roads and gradually build up to longer and more challenging rides as your parents’ capabilities allow it. If one parent is able to handle more intensive rides than the other, consider having a home care provider care for the other parent one afternoon a week so you can go out for a more challenging ride.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Dallas, TX and the surrounding areas, contact Approved Home Care at 972-658-4001 today.