1. Avoid Exercising in the Early Morning
Many people have a habit of exercising in the early morning. However, for the elderly, high body temperature between 4 and 6 am can lead to high blood pressure. If you do strenuous exercise or walk too much, it can cause cardiac arrest.
There have been many cases of elderly people suffering from strokes after walking, sweating, and showering. Therefore, it is best for seniors to exercise in the late afternoon when it is cooler. Avoid overexertion during exercise.
Exercise should be gentle. Only take a shower 30 minutes to 1 hour after sweating, not immediately after.
The elderly should not wake up too early to exercise. (Illustrative photo)
2. Do Not Stand Up Abruptly
As we age, our reflexes become slower. If we are suddenly called and sit up abruptly, it can lead to a rapid increase in blood pressure. Therefore, not standing or sitting up too quickly is one of the 5 things the elderly should not do.
When called or about to get up, close your eyes for half a minute. Then slowly sit up and rub your hands and feet to warm them. Finally, get out of bed and stand up.
Similarly, when you wake up, do not get up right away, as your body is out of balance and you may fall.
3. Do Not Turn Your Head Suddenly
In the elderly, blood vessels become hardened, so turning your head back suddenly can easily lead to cerebral ischemia, causing dizziness or falls.
When in a normal state and suddenly called, the elderly should turn their whole body slowly, not just their neck.
4. Do Not Stand on One Leg
The elderly have stiff bones and are not as flexible as when they were younger. Therefore, if you stand on one leg while getting dressed, you can easily fall backward. Since the bones of the elderly are fragile and difficult to heal, it is best to sit on the bed when getting dressed.
If you are getting dressed in the bathroom, lean against the wall when putting on your pants to maintain balance and avoid getting tangled in the pants legs. Also, be aware that slippery bathroom floors can lead to falls when changing clothes.
5. Limit Tilting Your Neck Back for Too Long
Normally, there is a lubricant between the vertebrae of the neck to allow for flexible movement. However, as we age, this fluid is produced less.
When tilting your neck back for too long, the cervical vertebrae can damage the blood vessels in the brain, leading to fainting.
