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How Much Physical Activity is Safe for a Senior with COPD? 

December 7, 2018
Lenora Alabi
If your aging parent is one of the approximately 11 million people throughout the United States who have been diagnosed with COPD, you know how important it is to make sure they manage their condition effectively. As their family caregiver, you can make a major difference for your senior by helping them understand how their condition impacts different areas of their life, and what you can do to help them manage it. One such area is physical activity. You already know that staying active is essential to overall health and well-being, but how does this change when it comes to a senior who is living with a condition such as COPD?

This condition can leave your parent feeling fatigued and cause shortness of breath, which means they might not think they should stay active. It is important to note, however, that getting physical activity on a regular basis can actually help your parent in many ways, including:
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Improved muscle strength
  • Less shortness of breath
  • Greater cardiovascular health
  • Better sleep
  • Less anxiety
  • Decreased depression
  • Less stress
  • Increased energy levels
  • Diminished need for oxygen
Talk to your aging parent's doctor about their physical activity to get recommendations for how much and what types of exercises are safe and appropriate for your aging parent. They can also give you tips for what to look out for to make sure your senior is not overdoing it. This is important to prevent potential negative consequences. 

Just because you have decided to step in as your parent’s family caregiver does not mean your other responsibilities go away. Especially if you're in the sandwich generation caring for your children as well as your parents, this can mean a very busy schedule. You may feel as though you don't have the time, energy, or resources to handle all of the tasks on your to-do list effectively and efficiently. Fortunately, elderly care is there to help. An elderly home care services provider can step in to take on care tasks that allow you to focus your energy and attention in the best ways possible. This not only makes your care efforts more meaningful and beneficial for your senior, it also relieves your stress, allows you to take care of the other elements of your life, and create a closer bond with your aging parent.

http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/physical-activity.html 

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING HOME HEALTH CARE IN STREETERVILLE, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.