The Benefits of Exercise: How Home Care in San Mateo Can Help Keep Your Loved One Moving

When I was the Director of Social Services at a nursing home, I worked closely with physical and occupational therapists on our SAR (sub-acute rehabilitation) unit. There, we helped older adults recover from heart attacks, strokes, accidents, and more. I was responsible for the discharge planning and the therapists helped the patients regain as much strength and functioning as possible.

i-homecareWhen I was the Director of Social Services at a nursing home, I worked closely with physical and occupational therapists on our SAR (sub-acute rehabilitation) unit. There, we helped older adults recover from heart attacks, strokes, accidents, and more. I was responsible for the discharge planning and the therapists helped the patients regain as much strength and functioning as possible.
If you’ve ever needed weeks of physical or occupational therapy, you can relate — it isn’t easy. I’ve never had to do it myself, but judging from my patients’ and coworkers’ comments, it’s extremely hard to get up and go through those exercises every day. Sometimes, you even have to do them two or three times a day!
That’s why it was common for our patients to be reluctant to participate in therapy — or just outright refuse to go. Although we understood their reasoning, it was part of our job to convince them of the importance of these exercises, and indeed, to keep moving in general. That’s because unlike younger generations, once older adults lose physical abilities, they may never regain them.

When older adults stop moving: possible consequences

When older adults stop being physically active, it can have far-reaching consequences. One of the most salient is the increased risk of falls due to lack of balance, coordination, muscle strength, and more. Also, when little weight is put on the bones, they can grow weaker over time. This means there’s a greater possibility of your loved one acquiring a bone-related condition like osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Combined with the increased risk of falls, these conditions mean the victim is more likely to seriously injure themselves in a fall (for example, breaking a hip). For older adults, this can eventually lead to a permanent lack of mobility, possibly consigning them to wheelchairs or even leaving them bedridden for the rest of their lives.
And unfortunately, lack of physical activity doesn’t just affect the body — it may have an impact on the brain as well. Older adults who continue to stay active throughout their lives may decrease their risk for Alzheimer’s. Conversely, if they succumb to inertia, they may increase the odds of suffering the high costs of a dementia-related illness.

Keep on keepin’ on: how home care in San Mateo can help

The good news is that your loved one doesn’t have to take up bodybuilding or run a marathon to see the benefits of exercise. In fact, just a few hours a week of home care in San Mateo may be enough to do the trick.
For example, physical and occupational therapists can visit their home if needed. Home health aides can guide them through follow-up exercises given by their therapists, take them on walks, or help with doctor-approved activities like stretches or yoga. Of course, no one is asking your love one to take on more than they are physically able to do. If they need assistance with cooking or light housework, that is also something a home health aide can provide.
Many older adults (and even their families and loved ones) are under the impression that having someone help around the house will lead to a loss of independence. However, a good home health aide will only do the things their client is unable to, while encouraging them to do the things they can. In this way, having home care in San Mateo may actually keep older adults independent – and in their own homes.

Get started with home care in San Mateo today

It’s tempting to put off exercising for all of us, but as you’ve seen, it can be especially devastating for older adults. So don’t wait to get home care in San Mateo that can help your loved one be as strong, healthy, and independent for as long as possible. Remember — a body in motion tends to stay in motion!
If you are unsure of how to best help an aging loved one, the trained and compassionate staff at the Institute on Aging is here to help you make that decision and gain the best in at-home care for older adults. Contact us to find out more.

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Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

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Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

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At Insitute on Aging, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Manuel Martinez on our team. With his extensive expertise in housing and community resources, Manuel has been an invaluable asset to our organization. Recently, he was promoted to the role of Assessment Specialist II in our Adults with Disabilities - Home Delivered Meals program. In addition to managing a caseload, Manuel has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has become an expert in program management. We are grateful for Manuel's unwavering commitment to IOA and the community we serve. Thank you, Manuel, for your dedication and passion in making a difference in the lives of others. 
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In honor of #SocialWorkMonth, we're shining a spotlight on one of our exceptional social workers - Patty Myers! 

Patty has dedicated her career and volunteer efforts to support older adults and adults with disabilities in San Francisco. As the Resident Services Coordinator for Institute on Aging's Support in Independent Living program, Patty wears many hats to ensure that the 120+ residents of Martin Luther Towers Senior Housing can age in place comfortably. Her talent for connecting individuals with resources has enabled her to go above and beyond to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all. Patty's commitment to her work has been unwavering, and we are grateful to have her on our team at IOA. 

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