4 Exercise Ideas to Help Keep Seniors Active after Your PSW Courses

PSW courses will teach you how to help elderly clients stay healthy and happy. Regular physical activity and light exercise can have many positive effects on seniors’ physical and mental health as they grow older, including encouraging sociability, enhancing mood, and improving aspects such as circulation, strength, and mobility.

From dancing to tai chi, there are a variety of creative ways to get clients physically active. If you’re interested in becoming a personal support worker, here are four exercise ideas you can use to help keep seniors active after completing your courses and beginning your career as a personal support worker!

1. Take Senior Clients Outdoors for Some Fresh Air and New Surroundings

Going for a walk or short hike can be a great way to keep older clients moving. Walking has been shown to provide a number of benefits to seniors, including improving circulation, boosting memory, and enhancing mood. It’s also a great opportunity for seniors to socialize, experience nature, and get some fresh air and new scenery along the way.

2. Get Seniors to Break Out Their Best Dance Moves When You Become a PSW

Another fun and social way to get seniors moving is through dancing. Organizing dances with residents at a care facility can be a great way to give clients something to look forward to and participate in, while also getting in some good cardiovascular exercise. After completing your personal support worker training, consider setting up a regular “dance night” for senior clients where they can request their favourite songs. You can even hire a live band to provide a festive atmosphere that gets seniors out of their seats and onto the dance floor.

3. Wii Games Can Help Seniors Stay Active During the Winter Months

Wii games can be a great way to keep seniors active when you become a PSW, particularly during the winter months when outdoor activities might not be an option. Unlike other video game consoles, the Wii uses handheld remotes which are moved by the player in order to control the action on-screen, which can include physical activities such as swinging virtual tennis rackets and golf clubs. Wii consoles are easy to set up, and a wide range of games are available to cater to any resident’s interests and tastes, including tennis, golf, fishing, baseball, and bowling, among many others.

4. Tai Chi Offers a Range of Health Benefits to Senior Clients

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition often practiced today as a form of exercise. It involves performing a series of movements in a slow and steady manner, with a focus on breathing. Tai chi puts minimal stress on joints and muscles, and is generally low-impact and easy to learn, making it a great exercise option for seniors. It also offers a number of benefits, especially for elderly clients, including improving balance and strength, as well as potential mental benefits such as a reduced risk of depression and improvements in cognitive function and memory.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a personal support worker?

Contact Anderson College to learn more about our PSW program!