5 Keys to Starting an Exercise Program with a Loved One Who Has COPD
Home Care in Westfield NJ
If your loved one has COPD, you might think that it’s better that he doesn’t exercise. In reality, the opposite is most often the case.
Set up an Appointment with His Doctor
The most crucial step is also the first one that you should take. Before you embark on any exercise plan at all, you need to clear it with your loved one’s doctor. Your loved one’s doctor will take into account his current health, the current progression of his COPD, and how much exercise will benefit him. From there, you can start mapping out an exercise plan that starts gently.
Write out a List of Goals
Your loved one needs to have some goals in mind for when the exercise gets difficult. Someone who hasn’t exercised before is likely to want to give up pretty quickly. By having a list of goals, you have something to point to at those times so your loved one can remind himself why he’s doing this. Your loved one might want to build up his lung strength, sleep better, or reduce his stress levels. He might also want to accomplish a combination of those goals.
Get to Know Your Loved One’s Limits
Your loved one shouldn’t push through just because he thinks that he should. If he’s starting to become too tired or his lungs aren’t holding up well to the exertion. Both you and your loved one need to start to learn what it looks and feels like when your loved one is almost to his limit. That way you can stop before he’s too worn out.
Mix in Periods of Rest
Rest is just as important as exercise for your elderly loved one. Particularly at the beginning, your loved one’s stamina isn’t likely to be tremendous. Having those periods of rest in between exercise sessions can help his body and his lungs to recover.
Keep up with Those Appointments
As your loved one continues to exercise, it’s vital that he continues to attend his appointments with his doctor. His doctor can assess how well the exercise is helping your loved one and he can give your loved one pointers about what types of exercise he can carry on with.
Once you have a plan in place, everyone from your loved one’s home care providers to other family members who help out will be able to help him stick to his plan.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care in Westfield, NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.
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