Both you and your elderly loved one can benefit greatly from exercise. By doing these activities together, you also strengthen your emotional bond with each other. Always talk to your loved one’s doctor before beginning a new exercise program to make sure it’s safe for her.

Taking a walk is one of the easiest types of exercise that you or your loved one can do. You don’t need special equipment and you can do it anywhere. Take walks in the neighborhood or in parks and take the time to enjoy being outside, soaking up the fresh air and communing with nature. If the weather’s not so great, head over to a local mall and walk around in a controlled environment. Either way, you’ll both get a great workout in.

Chair exercises are those that you do while seated. These are fantastic if your loved one is confined to a wheelchair or has other types of mobility problems. You can find videos online or you can borrow them from your local library. Try a variety of different exercises to focus on the different parts of the body.

Dancing is a fantastic way to really get your blood flowing. You don’t have to be a great dancer to benefit from it, either. Find some great music and play a couple of songs. You and your loved one don’t need to dance long to get some terrific benefits. Try breaking up your dance party throughout the day and play one song in the morning, one in the middle of the day, and another in the afternoon. That way you don’t tire out too badly doing too much at once.

Household chores are a well-kept secret of being fit and getting exercise. There’s often quite a bit of bending, lifting, and moving around that can really add up in the activity department. Don’t do anything that causes you or your elderly loved one to overdo it, but look for ways that you can incorporate fitness into everyday tasks.

If you and your loved one are in a routine, don’t let it fall apart if you can’t be there. Let your loved one’s elder care providers know what you do when you exercise together and they can help your loved one stay fit, too.