How to Motivate a Senior to Exercise

One of the best gifts a family or community can give its senior members is to motivate them to exercise. Seniors can stay active well into their 80s and 90s, but many are not comfortable exercising. Some feel too old or too frail to exercise, while others believe their medical condition prevents them from performing strenuous activity. All of these objections can be met with positive studies showing that exercise need not be strenuous, that seniors of any age can safely exercise and that the benefits of exercise for seniors far outweigh the risks.

Instructions

1. Provide seniors with information about the benefits of exercise. Explain how strength, balance, stretching and endurance exercises will enhance their independence and quality of life.

2. Ask your senior family member's doctor or caregiver to help you motivate him to exercise. Health professionals speak with more authority and a senior is more likely to act on their encouragement.

3. Give a senior an exercise product. Hand weights, ankle weights, a stationary cycle, or a yoga mat are all great ideas to motivate seniors to begin an exercise program.

4. Find senior classes or fitness groups in the neighborhood and bring a senior to observe an actual group. As she sees others her age enjoying the group activity and hears them speak about the benefits of exercise, she will be motivated to join.

5. Help a senior design an exercise program with specific goals and a chart to track his achievements. The program should start with simple short-term goals to build confidence, like increasing walking time or distance each week. As the senior becomes stronger, increase the time and intensity of each activity and set longer-term goals.

6. Introduce new exercises gradually and explain the specific benefits of each activity so seniors can notice a specific improvement. For example, introduce knee-strengthening exercises and explain that these exercises will aid their balance and walking.

7. Find fitness opportunities that seniors can afford. Cost can prevent many seniors from engaging in exercise activities. Make a list of free and low-cost fitness centers, senior centers, YMCAs, neighborhood exercise programs, walking clubs, dance classes, parks and malls where seniors can exercise affordably.

8. Be sensitive to seniors' concerns about safety. Ask a health professional to address safety concerns and reassure seniors that the kinds of exercises they will do are geared for senior bodies.

Tips & Warnings

• Speak to your local senior center about offering motivation seminars for seniors.

• Advise seniors to speak to their doctors before starting an exercise program.