I love you guys. Although I have always been moms main caregiver things are getting more and more necessary to address. Anyway the article was great because it is a goal but reading the comments were both funny and helpful. We all have our own reality right? The article was a start to ideas and stories. I love it.
Thanks for the reminder and suggestions. And for those of us who have lawns and plants to maintain, sustained effort in heat/humidity is a workout too. (Just don't overdo it.) Remember that in many cases there is life after caregiving and you'll want your health when that happens. Blessings to all.
nothing fancy n you probable could do the same thing with your legs up in air from a lying down position. Yet, it does give you something to put your feet onto and you can do it while sitting up. Put some motivated pumping up music on while working out a little. I would do a little at a time n for about 2-3 times every other day. Good Luck.
Maybe a spray of double D-40 or motor oil will help those sqeeky knee caps. jk. They make a peddle exerciser where all you do is peddle at your own pace while sitting down and no pressure nor speed levels. I think I got mine from Miles Kimbal.
I too saw this article and was hoping I finally found something catered for caregivers regarding exercising. I was disappointed too.
My doctor constantly nags me about exercise. That was his solution for my borderline cholesterol for years. My trig is "beautiful", my HDL is "beautiful" but...my LDL ...I need to exercise. Then last year, my dad had a stroke and is now bedridden. My annual check up, the doc was shocked how my LDL skyrocketed. No excuse not to exercise. Find the time, etc...
I used to own an exercise bike. My knees would click, click, click as I pedal - on the Lowest Resistance! I ended up stopping because those clicking became quite painful - for days after. So, out went the bike.
I then got a treadmill. I huffed and puffed. Next doc's visit, I told him it was so difficult and could only last 12 minutes. He asked what level I put the machine. You should have seen his face when I said the 1st level - the slowest one. I said #2 - I have to Run. Anyway, as the months went by, and my stress and wear and tire of care-giving, I became more and more exhausted. I kept at the treadmill despite walking like a drunk - sideways, lurching or banging into the treadmill's handles. Well, one day, I lurched hard to the right, my foot landed between the treadmill and the metal side, my other foot lifted in midpace, and next thing I knew, I was flying backward fast, past the treadmill's end, and slammed very hard into my dresser drawer. Needless to say, I froze in that position because I felt Pain all over my back. Okay, so I didn't clip the safety string to my blouse. I was holding it and let it go when I went flying. My fault but...I no longer use the treadmill. Too dangerous when one is too exhausted to pay attention to safety.
I still google once in a while trying to find a decent way to exercise in the livingroom with 2 bedridden parents on hospital beds, oxygen and suction machine. Dancing is not my thing.
PCVS, your activity make a lot more sense and realistic than what they mention. For if we could have a friend around or go out of the house to see one then we could get activities. Hello, the majority of us is stuck in a house 24/7. I wander maybe that is why I have already gained 10 lbs. I do think something like having a yoga demo exercise tape in the home could help and maybe the elder mnl would try some too. I heard dancing can burn lots of calories and if just maybe we can get r loves ones to join in maybe they will wear themself out and all of us can get a restful night sleep. Maybe.
I, too, clicked on this article to find some tips. TG there were actually some good tips in the comments! So I guess you could say the article was good - because were it not for the article we wouldn't have gotten such great info in the comments! :-) Thanks PCVS for your GREAT options!!!!
This reminds me of the time I put PBS on for my Mother in the morning and a Jack La Lane special was on. She is 93, legally blind, but does like to do what exercises she can while sitting, as she is very vain. I was doing the dishes, and could see her on the sofa. She was counting, but not moving her body, just "watching" Jack and his lovely elderly wife doing the exercises. Pretty soon, she exclaimed, "Oh my Gosh!! I am exhausted!" It was hysterical. I said, "Good Job, Mother!"
Sunshineacres you ROCK!! Oh to be blessed with such openness and ability to have an alternative perspective on things. Thank you. If nothing else your attitude is something I will learn to incorporate more of into my own life.
We have the ALZ exercise plan here...when Mom decides to "run away", we grab our shoes and follow. I told my daughters..."we know we need to walk each day so WHY do we get so upset when she takes off?" It is typically NOT when we would chose to walk but our days go so much better if we just give in and let her "plan" our exercise...HA!
PCVS, your 6 are a lot more geared to reality. Thanks. I love #5. Maybe I could dance in my home office a few times a day. I'll try it and report back.
Here are my tips for getting more exercise while being a caregiver 1) Smaller free weights for arm exercises - use these while you sit with your caregivee. Make jokes about getting into shape. If she also has some exercises (my sister bought my mom a bike pedaling thing that sits on the floor and while sitting our mom can, if encouraged, pedal along. Canned goods can be substituted for actual weights
2) Do a quick walk, arms swinging if possible, around the house when you are moving from place to place. Bounce in place, lightly. when standing. Stretch when reaching up shelves.
3) Do some gardening (especially digging and sweeping) while your caregivee sits in the sun.
4) Run up the stairs.
5) Dance in the kitchen.
6) Callenetics type curls before you get up for the day. I do between 30 and a hundred of these (ok, right after getting up to urinate) followed by my kegels and back exercises and occasionally some leg things from when I was a ballerina.
Hooboy, where do they come up with these ideas and why are they posted on a Caregiving site?
Yes indeedy. Let's round up enough kids and cousins or grandkids and neighbors, etc. to form baseball or soccer teams, then conduct weekly practices, and shop for tournament prizes, and contact everyone when the weather looks bad and take on responsibility for Janie when her mother phones to say she is tied up in traffic and will be an hour late, and ... well, if you've been you know what I mean. And if you have enough kids to set up tournaments within your own household and you are also a caregiver for an elder, all I can say is Holy Cow! If you are using the little respite you can arrange to become a sports director, you need more help than you can get on a website! :)
This is really a pretty good list for finding enjoyable ways to work exercise into your life, IF YOU ARE NOT A CAREGIVER. I read it because I know I desperately need to get more exercise. It was disappointing.
Dear reader, I do not profess to know everything and wonder about this "fact" : even 10 minutes of exercise done 3 times a day has the same benefits as doing 30 consecutive minutes of exercise. So here's what I suggest : do 10 minutes of something aerobic, even if it's following a video or exercise DVD, then later when you have a chance, try some resistance exercises, a band is good for this and lastly do 10 minutes of stretching. All these things as the article points could be done without leaving the one being cared for. Hope this helps.
This is just a suggestion..... If possible get the Zumba CD's invite some good friends or friend over and while watching your loved one or even include them in the exercise. the social interaction may be beneficial for all !
PCVS..... I was just thinking the same thing and then read your post.... and you said it all so well..... This was a "non-article" article.
I actually thought I got plenty of exercise when I had my Mom here with me.... with all the jumping up and down and moving her around, housekeeping, laundry, blah blah blah...... She kept me going for sure.....lol
This is a disappointing article. It's only relation to the specific topic of how caregivers can manage to get some exercise is the statement, "...find some help watching mom or dad..." After that is devolves into just another generalized and very short list.
What caregivers need are tips on how to get exercise when outside help (or sitters) are not an option. The Connecticut Elder Home Care program has made it possible for me to have a day for errands and groceries. Hopefully soon it will be possible for me to have a few blocks of time to get some work done (I am an artist and work at home but it's hard when my mom needs so much attention). Exercise is necessarily going to have to be done in small chunks of time while I am caregiving.
Someone had the idea to do some exercise where the parent is and even if they can't do any themselves, they can watch and interact. I'm going to do that. Right now, I do some crunches, kegels, and back exercises when I wake up. It's not enough, but it's a start.
Physical activity is a big challenge. My 91 year old mother will go to great lengths not to have to get up out of her chair. "Bring me that, bring me this"...She talk about getting up for half an hour before she starts to rock herself back and forth to get up the momentum to actually stand up on her feet. Inactivity is the killer for the elderly.
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Fun Exercises to Help Caregivers Stay Healthy
They make a peddle exerciser where all you do is peddle at your own pace while sitting down and no pressure nor speed levels. I think I got mine from Miles Kimbal.
My doctor constantly nags me about exercise. That was his solution for my borderline cholesterol for years. My trig is "beautiful", my HDL is "beautiful" but...my LDL ...I need to exercise. Then last year, my dad had a stroke and is now bedridden. My annual check up, the doc was shocked how my LDL skyrocketed. No excuse not to exercise. Find the time, etc...
I used to own an exercise bike. My knees would click, click, click as I pedal - on the Lowest Resistance! I ended up stopping because those clicking became quite painful - for days after. So, out went the bike.
I then got a treadmill. I huffed and puffed. Next doc's visit, I told him it was so difficult and could only last 12 minutes. He asked what level I put the machine. You should have seen his face when I said the 1st level - the slowest one. I said #2 - I have to Run. Anyway, as the months went by, and my stress and wear and tire of care-giving, I became more and more exhausted. I kept at the treadmill despite walking like a drunk - sideways, lurching or banging into the treadmill's handles. Well, one day, I lurched hard to the right, my foot landed between the treadmill and the metal side, my other foot lifted in midpace, and next thing I knew, I was flying backward fast, past the treadmill's end, and slammed very hard into my dresser drawer. Needless to say, I froze in that position because I felt Pain all over my back. Okay, so I didn't clip the safety string to my blouse. I was holding it and let it go when I went flying. My fault but...I no longer use the treadmill. Too dangerous when one is too exhausted to pay attention to safety.
I still google once in a while trying to find a decent way to exercise in the livingroom with 2 bedridden parents on hospital beds, oxygen and suction machine. Dancing is not my thing.
1) Smaller free weights for arm exercises - use these while you sit with your caregivee. Make jokes about getting into shape. If she also has some exercises (my sister bought my mom a bike pedaling thing that sits on the floor and while sitting our mom can, if encouraged, pedal along. Canned goods can be substituted for actual weights
2) Do a quick walk, arms swinging if possible, around the house when you are moving from place to place. Bounce in place, lightly. when standing. Stretch when reaching up shelves.
3) Do some gardening (especially digging and sweeping) while your caregivee sits in the sun.
4) Run up the stairs.
5) Dance in the kitchen.
6) Callenetics type curls before you get up for the day. I do between 30 and a hundred of these (ok, right after getting up to urinate) followed by my kegels and back exercises and occasionally some leg things from when I was a ballerina.
Yes indeedy. Let's round up enough kids and cousins or grandkids and neighbors, etc. to form baseball or soccer teams, then conduct weekly practices, and shop for tournament prizes, and contact everyone when the weather looks bad and take on responsibility for Janie when her mother phones to say she is tied up in traffic and will be an hour late, and ... well, if you've been you know what I mean. And if you have enough kids to set up tournaments within your own household and you are also a caregiver for an elder, all I can say is Holy Cow! If you are using the little respite you can arrange to become a sports director, you need more help than you can get on a website! :)
This is really a pretty good list for finding enjoyable ways to work exercise into your life, IF YOU ARE NOT A CAREGIVER. I read it because I know I desperately need to get more exercise. It was disappointing.
Think I'll just go take a walk ...
Heh.
I actually thought I got plenty of exercise when I had my Mom here with me.... with all the jumping up and down and moving her around, housekeeping, laundry, blah blah blah...... She kept me going for sure.....lol
What caregivers need are tips on how to get exercise when outside help (or sitters) are not an option. The Connecticut Elder Home Care program has made it possible for me to have a day for errands and groceries. Hopefully soon it will be possible for me to have a few blocks of time to get some work done (I am an artist and work at home but it's hard when my mom needs so much attention). Exercise is necessarily going to have to be done in small chunks of time while I am caregiving.
Someone had the idea to do some exercise where the parent is and even if they can't do any themselves, they can watch and interact. I'm going to do that. Right now, I do some crunches, kegels, and back exercises when I wake up. It's not enough, but it's a start.