Wheelchair Exercises for Elderly Seniors Citizens

Older seniors can benefit both mentally and physically from weekly exercise, especially those who are Senior Wheelchair bound.  Having limited mobility does not need to stop you from reaching your fitness goals. While many fitness routines for seniors utilize balls, bands and weights there are also simple routines where all you need is…you! Feel free to modify your routine by adding or subtracting various exercises, the important thing is that you are becoming more active. So now it’s time to turn up the tunes and get moving!

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Neck Rolls- Warm up your neck muscles by slowly moving your chin down towards your chest then over to your left shoulder and repeat 5 times. Next, roll your head to your right shoulder an additional 5 times. Keep pressure off of your spine by only rolling your head sideways and not to the back.

Shoulder Lifts- Slowly lift both shoulders straight up towards your ears and then back down. Repeat 5-10 times.

Arm Stretches- Extend your arms out in front of you and interlace your fingers. Sit up straight and keep arms stretched out in front of you. Keeping your hands clasped together, raise your arms as high as you comfortably can then slowly bring them back down. Repeat 5-10 times.

Side Twist- Slowly twist your body to the right and hold onto the side of your Senior Citizens Wheelchair with both hands. Make sure to turn your head with your body. Stay in this position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat on opposite side.

Knee Lifts- Hold onto your wheelchair with both hands, one on each side. Slowly lift one knee up as high as you comfortably can and hold for 3 seconds then gently place your foot back on the floor by lowering your knee. Repeat 3-4 times then switch to your opposite knee.

Leg Circles- Raise your foot up and rotate your leg making small circles keeping your foot flexed. Continue circular motion for 10 seconds then repeat with opposite leg.

Front Foot Lifts- Lift your feet up off the ground while keeping your heels planted on the floor. repeat 5-10 times on each foot.

Heel Lifts- Keeping your toes pressed to the floor, lift your heels up off the ground and then back down 5-10 times.

Churn the Butter- Make two fists and place one on top of the other. Keeping this hand position, mime as if you are slowly churning a large bucket of butter clockwise in a circular motion. “Stir” for 5-10 seconds then repeat motion counter-clockwise for an additional 5-10 seconds.

Running Man- Quickly jog your feet barely lifting your feet off the ground. For higher intensity add arm movements as if you are running. Continue your seated jog for 5-10 seconds, take two slow deep breaths then repeat 3-4 times.

Swimmer- Using your arms, imitate the following swimming strokes 5-10 times each. You can also choose your own swimming strokes if you are not familiar with the names.

Backstroke

The Crawl/Freestyle

Breaststroke

Seated Jumping Jacks- Open and close your arms and legs just as you would a traditional jumping jack. You can further modify by this exercise by doing just arms first and then legs. Try 3 sets of 5-10 jumping jacks.

Deep Breaths- Cool down with 5-10 long deep breathes. Breath in through your nose and slowly exhale out through your mouth.

Note: Stretching and exercise should never feel painful, listen to your body and start slow and easy with gradual progression. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor before starting a physical program to find out if there is anything you should avoid, an appropriate level of exertion and recommended frequency.

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Tips for Choosing the Right Wheelchair for Your Elderly Loved One

Choosing the right wheelchair for your elderly loved one is important as you want to be sure that they are comfortable and safe at all times. There are several different types of wheelchairs available, therefore family caregivers should know their options beforehand and consider the pros and cons of each type carefully so that they can choose the right one. If you have no idea what to look for, we at Carefect Home Care Services would like to offer some tips on how to choose the right wheelchair for your senior loved one.

Power wheelchairs are the most common choice for disabled seniors as they do not require someone to push the wheelchair around constantly, so seniors can get around on their own. Seniors who are in a Senior Citizens Wheelchair temporarily might prefer a manual wheelchair because they cost less, but power chairs are a better long term solution. Power chairs are a good option for seniors because they are much faster than manual wheelchairs and they can be operated with much less energy than a manual wheelchair requires. Power chairs can get a bit pricey though, so it is important that your senior’s living environment and daily routine are considered before choosing a type of power chair and making the purchase.

Rear wheel wheelchairs are very common choice for seniors because they can achieve slightly higher speeds than other wheelchairs which makes them ideal for those who are still working and work in a fast paced environment and need to get around quickly. Even seniors that are retired can enjoy this chair if they like to spend time with their family and want to be able to keep up easily. They are also less likely to tip over than some other types of wheelchairs are in extreme circumstances which is good because it keeps seniors from falling out and getting hurt. Rear wheel wheelchairs are also said to be sturdier than other chairs which means that they can be very durable and long lasting.

Mid-wheel power chairs are also very common, and they are great for seniors that need to maneuver through small spaces. Mid-wheel power chairs have a much smaller turning radius than other chairs do, so this type of chair is ideal for seniors who live in apartments or smaller homes. Mid-wheel power chairs do have trouble going over bumpy terrain though because the front wheels often get stuck and prevent the middle wheels from touching the ground. Seniors who live in flat areas should not experience any problems with their chair, but seniors in rocky or bumpy areas might want to consider another type of wheelchair so that they will not have problems maneuvering their chair.

Portable wheelchairs are another great option for seniors and they are ideal for those who travel frequently. Portable wheelchairs are much lighter than other types of power chairs so that they can be easily lifted and loaded into the car for travel. Some brands even disassemble so that those who are still having trouble lifting the chair can take it apart and move it more easily. Seniors that live in nursing homes and do not travel frequently might prefer another chair such as a mid-wheel power chair that is easy to maneuver in smaller spaces, but those who still live at home and need to travel to visit family, go shopping or go to appointments might find that a portable power chair is best for them.

Family caregivers should carefully consider the pros and cons of each type of wheelchair before purchasing one for their loved one. If possible, family caregivers should offer their loved one to accompany them so that they can help choose their own wheelchair. Many wheelchairs come in different styles, and seniors might enjoy picking the style of their chair since they will be using it on a daily basis to get around.

Independence is important for a senior’s wellbeing, and offering them to choose the style of their chair or accompany you when you purchase the chair gives them a sense of independence. This can be very important as many seniors feel that they are losing their independence since they have to rely on a wheelchair, but power wheelchairs allow seniors to get around on their own without needing someone to push them around all the time. As a family caregiver it is important to remind your elderly loved one that you have carefully chosen their power chair so that they will be able to live their life like they used to and that they will still be able to have some independence.

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