Exercise Tips for Seniors in a Wheelchair, Cast, or Boot

Staying consistently active no matter what age you are is an important part of living a long and healthy life. But what happens if we have physical limitations such as using a wheelchair, wearing a cast, or a boot cast? Should exercise still be something we need to do on a regular basis?

Dealing with physical limitations can be challenging no matter what level of fitness you are. It is easy to assume that being in a wheelchair or cast should “slow us down” and we should take it easy. For many reasons this can be true, however, it is still possible (and recommended) that we keep a level of exercise up even with these restrictions so as to not become complacent. Keeping the body active even with restrictions is very important to staying healthy through challenging times not only for your body but your mind as well.

In this episode you will learn:

1). Why Meredith thought it was important to discuss the importance of knowing that exercise should still be a priority if you are restricted by a wheelchair, cast, or other.

2). How regular exercise helps the mind/body connection, especially in situations where you are dealing with physical restrictions.

3). Tips on what you can still do for exercise if you are dealing with upper body, lower body, or wheelchair limitations.

4). What happens to your body and mind if you stop exercising due to a restriction and how this can lead to complacency and a longer road to recovery.

5). Remembering the feelings you get when you do exercise regularly and the sense of accomplishment that can help motivate you to stay active during physically challenging times.