Q. What exercises or exercise classes could my aging mother and I do together to help us bond and get a good workout at the same time?

A. Before starting new exercises with your mother, make sure she is physically okay to do them. If she has never had an exercise regimen before, you will need to start slowly. A walk around the block is always a good way to start. Check with your local community centre or seniors centre—they may have exercise classes geared toward seniors. Try to find something that both of you enjoy so you will keep at it. 

 

Q. My mother is in a nursing home and I desperately want my two children to visit her, but they are reluctant. How can I encourage them to visit their grandmother?

A. The idea of going into a nursing home could be very frightening for children, no matter what age they are. You should start slowly with the visits; limit them to no more than 20 minutes at a time, and maybe just weekly for now. Bring something for the children to do while they are there, a game, or a book, something that will help keep them busy so you can visit with your mother. Have the visits be a regular part of your day, and not when they are tired, like at the end of the day. Encourage your children to bring pictures of themselves or artwork they may have done that can be put on the walls in your mother’s room. It may take a bit of time to have your children feel more comfortable going to the nursing home, but it will be well worth the effort. 

To submit questions about caregiving, either leave a comment or email us at solutions@bcsgroup.com

Tags: exercise, family, nursing home, senior residents