When a person is recovering from a stroke, exercise can be very useful. Starting to use muscles again can rebuild connections in the brain and increase mobility following a stroke. Exercise can also assist with reducing the risk of further strokes. Here are a few types of exercises that are particularly helpful following a stroke.
Elliptical Machine Use
Aerobic exercise after a stroke can promote cognitive recovery by increasing circulation and oxygen intake. However, seniors often have coordination problems after strokes that make it difficult to do things like jog outside. An elliptical machine is an excellent alternative. Ellipticals provide cardiovascular benefits, but seniors keep their hands on handles and their feet flat on pedals, which provides a sense of stability so seniors are less likely to experience falls or other accidents.
Older adults who need help exercising should consider professional in-home care. At-home care 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.
Assisted Squats
Squats are one of the most effective strength training exercises. They target the core, thigh, and hip muscles responsible for keeping seniors upright and helping them move around. Therefore, they’re often recommended for seniors recovering from strokes. However, this exercise does require some balance, so it may be challenging to manage right after a stroke. Seniors may want to hold on to counters as they do squats and have chairs or step stools behind them to catch them if they cannot rise from the squats. With these simple modifications, this helpful bodyweight exercise becomes something almost any senior can do.
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is a series of modified yoga movements that can be done while sitting or holding on to a standard dining chair. These exercises can be surprisingly challenging, so they increase muscle strength. Another benefit of chair yoga following a stroke is that many of the exercises increase balance. By strengthening all the small muscles needed for coordination, seniors can work toward recovering their balance following strokes.
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of information and support for a senior recovering from a stroke. The type of home care Barrie, ON, seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
Grip Training
After strokes, seniors can also benefit from exercises that target smaller parts of their bodies, such as their hands. These exercises help with stroke recovery because they make it easier for seniors to grasp utensils, write with pens, brush their teeth, and perform other daily activities. Seniors can start with gentler exercises like crumpling balls of paper and later move on to exercises that involve using grip training machines or squeezing stress balls.
Water Walking
Exercising in water provides many benefits for seniors after strokes. Water supports seniors’ weight, making it easier to stay upright and putting less pressure on the joints. The resistance of the water pushing against limbs turns simple motions like walking into an intense workout. However, seniors need to wear appropriate water safety gear and always have someone present to keep an eye out for them.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Barrie, ON, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at 647-970-3803 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.