It’s tough watching our loved ones age, especially when they start losing their strength and mobility. You might have tried encouraging your parent to walk more or engage in light exercises, only to be met with resistance, denial or even verbal abuse. It’s a common scenario, and you’re not alone in this challenge. Many people find that involving a professional, such as a kinesiologist, can make a significant difference. Here’s why a professional approach often works better and how it can help your parent regain their vitality.
The Challenge of Personal Involvement
Firstly, understand that it’s natural for elderly parents to resist exercise suggestions from their children. This resistance can stem from various factors, including pride, fear of pain, or simply not wanting to be a burden. Additionally, your parent might associate advice from family with a loss of independence or feel like they’re being nagged, which can lead to stubbornness about adopting healthier habits.
Why a Professional Makes a Difference
This is where a professional kinesiologist comes into the picture. Kinesiologists specialize in human movement and can provide tailored exercise programs based on a thorough assessment of your parent’s capabilities and health status. Here are some reasons why hiring a kinesiologist can be particularly effective:
- Expertise and Experience: Kinesiologists have trained extensively to understand how the aging body works. They know how to manage and mitigate risks associated with physical activity in older adults. Their expertise allows them to create personalized exercise plans that safely increase mobility without overwhelming your parent.
- Impartiality: Professionals bring a level of impartiality that family members can’t. Your parent may respond better to a neutral party because it feels less like personal criticism and more like professional advice. This impartial perspective can make all the difference in how your parent perceives the importance and benefits of regular exercise.
- Motivation and Accountability: Regular visits from a kinesiologist provide not only routine but also a form of accountability. Your parent might feel more motivated to participate in exercises if they have someone coming to check on their progress and push them a bit further each time.
- Customization and Adaptation: As your parent progresses, the kinesiologist can adapt exercises to increase or decrease difficulty levels, ensuring that the regimen remains effective without being discouraging. This dynamic approach helps maintain interest and promotes continuous improvement.
- Building Trust and Comfort: Over time, your parent might build a trusting relationship with their kinesiologist. This trust can lead to greater openness in trying new exercises and communicating about what works and what doesn’t, leading to more effective sessions.
Taking the Next Steps
If you’re seeing your parent struggle with mobility and strength, it might be time to consider a registered kinesiologist. They are not just trainers; they are health professionals who understand the science behind movement and can significantly improve your parent’s quality of life.
We encourage you to reach out and talk to us about how we can help. Our team is experienced in working with elderly clients in London, St Thomas, and the surrounding area and understands the challenges and apprehensions they might face. We’re here to support your family, providing not just expertise, but also care and motivation to help your loved ones live their best life.
Contact us today to discuss how we can bring professional, compassionate, and effective support into your parent’s routine. Let us help you help them take those vital steps toward better health and more freedom in their later years!
