May is National Bike Month and it’s a fantastic time for seniors to get some tips on how they can continue to bike safely as they get older. Biking is a great way for seniors to get exercise and socialize with friends. It’s also a great activity that you can do with your senior loved one. Bring your kids too and make bike riding a family event! Seniors just need to take a few precautions to make sure that they are biking safely and setting themselves for success. An elder care provider can help with this. Some of the things that experts recommend for seniors who want to bike are:
Get Your Bike Checked Before Riding
It’s a good idea for everyone to get their bikes tuned up before the weather really gets nice, but it’s especially important for seniors. Because seniors are prone to falls and because seniors can be seriously hurt by falls it’s very important that the bike your senior loved one is riding is sound. There are plenty of bike shops where you can get your senior loved one’s bike checked out and fixed. They will check the tires and change them if need be, make sure everything is working correctly, check the set, and install any reflective devices, lights, or bells that your senior loved one wants to be installed. If your senior loved one has elder care services a caregiver can help make sure their bike is ready to go before bike season starts.
Ride An Appropriate Bike
Generally speaking, seniors don’t need high-end racing bikes. A touring bike that is more stable than a featherweight racer is going to be more appropriate for a senior and safer too. Get your senior loved one an appropriate bike that is the right size, has a comfy seat and is designed for slower riding. Your senior loved one’s bike should also have a headlamp and plenty of reflectors or reflective tape to make it visible. Make sure that your senior loved one also has a high-quality helmet and a reflective vest that they can wear while cycling.
Dress Appropriately
Seniors should always wear a reflective vest over their clothing when they are biking. They need to wear a helmet too. But in addition to that seniors should wear knee pads, elbow pads, and other padding while riding a bike. Sunscreen is also something that seniors will need while riding. If your senior loved one’s elder care service caregiver is riding with them the caregiver should have a backpack with extra sunscreen, a hat, water, and other essentials just in case your senior loved one needs them.
Avoid Night Riding
Seniors can enjoy riding a bike but it’s not a good idea for them to ride at night. Seniors tend to have poor night vision and that can make them more likely to take a fall when they’re on a bike. There is also a greater danger that drivers won’t see them when they are riding bikes at night. Make sure your senior loved one knows that bike rides are a daytime activity.
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Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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