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May 15, 2020 Personal Care0

Staying active and healthy in lock-down.

While COVID-19-related lock-downs seem to be easing all around the world, it is evident that mini lock-downs and self-quarantine periods may last for a while.

Gyms, a public place where it is easy for bacteria or virus to spread, are closed.

For somebody trying to stay active and healthy, this can be a challenge.

So how can you stay active and healthy during those periods of time when movement is restricted?

Ideally, you need 30 minutes of exercise five days per week to stay active and healthy.

In today’s post, I’ll share five simple ideas for stay active and healthy in lock-down.

DisclaimerMake sure any exercise regimen you embark on is cleared by your doctor before you start.

5 Ideas for staying active and healthy when movement is restricted

Dance

Dancing is a fun and yet effective way to stay active and healthy in a time when movement is restricted.

You don’t have to have moves like Michael Jackson either!

You can either do a quick video on YouTube (or have a loved one do this for you) for dance routines and follow along.

Or you could slot in your favorite dance music, set a timer and move to that for the next 30 minutes!

Use stationary equipment you already own

That stationary bike you have been ignoring for the last few years?

You still own that my friend!

Dust off that bike (or treadmill or elliptical or…you get what I mean) and start working out.

Skip

Remember that activity you indulged in as a kid? Skipping?

It works very well.

In fact, I recently discovered a YouTube channel called the Jump Rope Dudes.

It has been inspiring to watch them post about people who have skipped their way to healthy.

Have a skipping rope around? Time to turn that into your home gym.

Walk or run in your neighborhood

In most places, there is no rule against walking or running in your neighborhood.

My advice however is that you observe social distancing rules – stay six feet apart – while you exercise outdoors.

I also don’t recommend wearing a mask while working out.

If you’re lightly walking, this may not be a big deal.

However, if you will be running or taking on exercise that involves a lot of more activity, realize that your body will also need more oxygen.

If you have a mask tightly over your face, you will not be getting the oxygen as you need.

And this can lead to fainting.

So wear your mask in crowded public spaces.

But if you must engage in vigorous exercise, take the mask off so you can breathe the oxygen you need.

Use your exercise mat!

Your exercise mat is more than a pretty accessory.

There are hundreds of types of exercises you can do on just an exercise mat inside your home.

Check out this video for exercise mat ideas for staying active.

 

Staying active and healthy during lock-down is possible!

In this post, I reminded you of 5 simple and yet effective ideas for staying active and healthy in lock-down.

Enjoyed this post?

Share it with someone else who will find it useful.

 

 


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May 11, 2020 Aging In Place0

COVID-19 has shaken the world to the core this year.

In order for families to protect one another, adult children  have reported staying away from their elderly loved ones.

There is no doubt that you might want to continue to stay in touch with your loved ones.

But you might not just want a phone call; you might want to see their faces as well.

There are user-friendly pieces of software that you can access for free and enjoy your family during these days of lock-downs and quarantines.

In this post, I will share four free and yet user-friendly video calling apps for the elderly.

4 FREE and user-friendly video calling apps for the elderly

Video calling features built into your smart phone

Both Android and Apple smart phones have native video calling features that allow you to call your loved ones on video.

Apple phones have Face Time.

If your loved one has an Apple iPhone or an iPad, you can call them using Face Time.

If you use an Android smart phone and your loved one has an Android phone that has video capabilities, you can call them using the video call feature as well.

These features come with your phone and are free to use.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a communication app that allows you to text, call and leave voice notes.

If your cell phone has a data plan or you have the phone connected to a wi-fi network, you can communicate with your family easily using WhatsApp.

Unlike the phone features I spoke of above, you can make video calls to your loved ones regardless of which kind of phone they use.

Another useful WhatsApp feature is the fact that you can have groups of up to 256 people!

Thus, you and your loved ones can have a group and communicate through there.

You can use WhatsApp on a Mac or Windows computer as well. 

Skype

Skype is one of the oldest Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) programs that is still free.

You can call your loved ones and see them on video from your computer, cell phone or a tablet.

All you need is an internet connection.

Facebook Messenger Video Calling

The Facebook Messenger app is owned by the world’s most popular social media site and guess what?

It has video calling as well.

If you already have a Facebook account, you already have everything you need to call your loved one on video.

 

Staying in touch with your loved ones during this difficult time is possible.

And while nothing is ever as good as the real thing, it still possible to still have good relationships over video calls.

In this post, I shared 4 free and user-friendly video calling apps for the elderly to help you keep in touch with your loved ones.

 

 


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Is your home walker-ready?

Mom or Dad is moving in with you shortly and they have a walker.

Or perhaps, they are aging in place and you want to help them make their home walker-ready.

In today’s post, we’ll cover the steps you can take to prepare your home or your loved one’s home to make it walker-ready.

5 home walker safety tips

But first, home walker safety tip number one!

The number one safety tip to consider when you’re getting your home ready for a walker is to ensure that you or your loved one is properly fitted for the walker.

While it may seem you can just grab any “ole” walker and make it work for you or your loved one, this is not advisable.

For a walker to be safe and supportive, it has to fit your height, weight and specific situation.

The wrong walker can lead to injuries that are caused by the walker not being rightly fitted for you.

The wrong walker can also lead to falls, which can in turn be fatal.

Consider a wider door

If your door is narrow, you might want to consider a renovation that includes widening your doorway to the allow the walker in. Of course, you will have to consider if this is absolutely necessary.

We do realize that this could mean a significant financial investment but ultimately, it will help you or your loved one come in and out of the house much easier.

Ramp for easier movement

Stairs can prove challenging for people with mobility issues.

Where possible, build a ramp that allows easier movement in and out of your home.

Bedroom downstairs or which does not involve too many stairs

This ties into the point above.

A bedroom downstairs reduces the need for you or your loved one to use the stairs – a common cause of falls.

Get rid of obstructions

Loose rugs, wires that cross the floor and any other object that is in the way can become fall hazards.

If you have a loved one in your home who uses a walker, get rid of obstructions in those spaces where they travel frequently.

Keep pathways lighted up

You or your loved one may need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

In addition to keeping pathways clear of obstructions, it is helpful to have night lights.

At the very least, you or your loved on should have the ability to control lights so that pathways are lighted when there’s no daylight outside.

 

Need reliable home care services for you or your loved one?

Call Green Tree Home Care at 800-518-9277 to talk to a representative and find out how we can help you.

 

 

 


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