Caregivers should discuss with their clients, the types of exercises that should be done. Most days it is recommended that a senior get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise. Some good examples are swimming, walking, and cycling. The caregiver should always take their clients current physical fitness into account when attempting to set up a work out schedule.

Strength training is recommended for two days a week. There are several strength training exercises that seniors can do, such as wall push ups, chair squats, and bicep curls. A caregiver can help determine which exercises are best, and how often then should be done.

As a home care worker, always make sure that the client is wearing loose, well-fitting, and comfortable clothing. Good shoes with arch supports, and cushions, to absorb shock, are also recommended for seniors when they work out. A caregiver should make sure the client is in good enough health for exercise, as working out with a cold, or flu can be detrimental to health. Before working out the client should always warm up, and stretch both before, and after the exercise period.

The caregiver should be alert for dangerous symptoms that may appear while their client is exercising. Chest pains may be a warning that a cardiologist appointment should be set. Dizziness, trouble breathing, trouble balancing, and nausea may also be warning signs of over work, or underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed.

A caregivers primary goal is to make life as long, and enjoyable as possible for their clients. Helping the client exercise to the best of their ability, and monitoring their progress can help serve that goal. This is just one of the many ways that home care can help our elderly loved ones.

The situation one would expect is that the caregiver could run the errands or transport your loved one to his/her appointments. The reality for many of us is that the chance of hiring a caregiver provider is slim due to the costs and family members do not always live close enough. So that is why seniors should know about their options when it come to find transportation assistance.  Also, if your loved one is fortunate enough to have a caregiver, there could be times when they want to have some freedom and go out on their own.

Volunteer Drivers

There are some non-profit institutions, or churches, that have volunteers that are willing to assist seniors concerning their transportation issues, whether is to run an errand or a visit to their physician. This kind of assistance might consist of one-way trips or multi-stops schedules. The cost might vary from a donation up to a minimum price per mile. Be aware that if you decide to go for these kind of services you will have to make a reservation in advance.

Paratransit Agencies

Agencies, whether the are private or public ones, will offer transportation services to a small number of people with mobility issues. The kind of vehicles will be vans or minibuses and you will usually have to share the ride with up to 25 people. In most cases these vehicles are suited for people with lack of mobility and accessible for handicapped people. The price will be a fixed one independent of the distance traveled. This service will drop their client and then pick them up at a given time. Since this service has got a lot of demand you should also book their service in advance.

Public Transportation System

Public buses, metro or trains are part of the public transport and they are also an option for seniors to use, but you should be aware that these services are better for elderly people that can get around on their own. There are some benefits for senior citizens that use the public transportation system; discounted fairs or coupons are some of the benefits they might have.

Mobility is an important aspect of independence and the loss of mobility can lead to depression, decreased motivation and poor circulation problems. When we care for a client with reduced mobility, we consider it important to take measures to provide as much motivation as possible when dealing with these issues.

First, our caregiver can consider the variant of the mobility issues within the client. Are these issues temporary and require changes for a short period of time or are the mobility issues permanent and lasting changes must be made within the routine? Hearts at Home Senior Care have techniques to assist clients with mobility issues.

After the above answer has been determined our care givers can use the following methods to assist seniors with limited mobility:

1.     For temporary mobility. Our caregivers can be used on a part-time or full-time basis ensuring the senior is able to maintain their livelihood, hobbies and interestests.  Assisting with the preparation of meals and assisting in bathroom and other hygeinic matters also ensures our clients remain mobile.

2.     Full advantage will be taken of tools and equipment available to increase the limited mobility that is evident in many elderly patients. This can include the use of wheel chairs, power chairs, walkers, and ramps as well as many other accessibility options. These can make life easier for care givers and provide support to the senior with limited mobility. There are pieces of equipment available for every aspect of care and for every room in the home.

3.     Mobile items that can be used when the senior choose to run errands and attend family events or community organizations that can ease the stress of the caregiver will be used as much as possible. Compact chairs and walkers that can easily fold and fit into vehicles, as well as seats that can swivel and rise, making it easy to get out of the vehicle can assist the caregiver in removing the client from the vehicle, alone, without the help of others.

4.     Our caregivers will help the client to deal with the feelings of frustration and anxiety that are associated with limited mobility and the loss of independence. Talking to the client, offering information for support groups and hotlines while using tools that can make life easier for the client are all effective methods to reduce these types of frustrations.