Despite the rain and cooler weather that’s approaching in some states, your mom can’t stop exercising. Here are some tips to ensure she gets outside for exercise when the weather starts getting cooler and wetter. She can have her home care assistance provider accompany her for companionship and safety.
Get Her a Smartphone
Is your mom nervous about falling when she goes for a walk? It can be comforting to know that she has everything needed for her safety.
She may worry about walking too far and having a harder time finding her way back home if she takes a wrong turn. With a GPS tracking smartphone, she has a way to reach someone for guidance or access a map for directions.
Smartphones are also comforting in that if she falls or needs help, she has the means to call for help. She can have a personal alarm option to get other people’s attention. You can also add her medical information to a phone app just in case.
Invest in Appropriate Gear
Rainy weather doesn’t have to limit your mom to inside activities. Invest in a good pair of rain boots and a rain poncho that keeps her dry. She won’t need to carry an umbrella if she has a poncho that goes past her knees. Rain boots will keep her feet warm and dry.
You or Her Home Care Assistance Aide can Join Her
Is your mom hesitant about walking alone? If so, make sure she has someone to walk with. She can lean on you or a home care assistance aide to walk with her when it’s wet or icy. If she feels supported, she’ll walk farther and feel more comfortable getting outside often.
If you’re at worHk and can’t join her for walks, ask others in the family if they have the time. If not, it’s a good idea to look into home care assistance services.
Talk to Her Doctor
Ask your mom’s doctor if there are activities she shouldn’t be doing. A brisk walk may be okay, but she might need to restrict her walks to a slow pace. It may be suggested that she only goes for a walk if she has a cane with her for balance.
If she’s taking prescription medications that cause dizziness, it may be recommended that she doesn’t walk after taking her pills. Your mom needs to wait for an hour or two to make sure the side effects pass before she goes for a walk.
Who supports your mom throughout the week? If she’s often alone, hire a home care assistance aide to help her out. With home care assistance, your mom has the help she needs with housework, laundry, and other aspects of daily care. Her caregiver can cook her meals and prepare drinks and snacks. Call our home care assistance agency to learn more.
