There are so many benefits of movement for a senior’s lifestyle. Learn how movement can greatly improve senior’s quality of life.
Movement brings amazing benefits for a senior’s lifestyle, improving physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Plus, it can be a lot of fun! Thus, helping seniors stay physically active is an important part of senior care.
How much exercise is the right amount? Getting 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, five days a week, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week, brings significant benefits to seniors, says the CDC. While certain health conditions may limit the types and duration of activity an individual should engage in, most people will benefit from maintaining a more active lifestyle.
Choose types of movement that are safe for individual seniors. Always consult with a doctor or physical therapist if you’re not sure. And remember, there are lots of activities seniors can do right at home and with minimal equipment, like climbing stairs!
Improving physical condition
Many health conditions improve with appropriate exercise. Physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer, say the authors of a recent study in BioMed Research International.
Exercise can even help seniors stay independent for longer by strengthening the muscles so they can carry out daily tasks. Gentle yoga can help seniors stay flexible and balanced while toning muscles.
Boosting mental health
Physical activity can postpone the onset of dementia and improve overall mental health, the study authors add. Cognitive functioning tends to get better with regular exercise, which also helps people stay independent for longer.
Picking up a new skill or hobby
With certain types of activities, seniors can grow a skill or learn something new as they get regular exercise, enhancing their quality of life. Here are a few ideas that could soon become a treasured hobby:
- Dancing
- Gardening
- Sports
- Walking, jogging, or hiking
With gardening, activities like raking, digging, and mowing can tone muscles and enhance fitness. The same goes for sports like badminton, golf, and tennis.
Socializing
It takes two to tango—or to play many sports. Dancing seniors’ groups have become highly popular, giving seniors a chance to learn a new type of dance together. Whether they focus on ballroom dancing, salsa, or jazzercise, they can improve balance while providing seniors with a great workout. In Asheville, NC, opportunities abound for contra dancing, line dancing, and clogging, for instance.
Even with activities you can do alone, like walking, getting together as a group often makes things more fun. A group of seniors who enjoy swimming could take trips to nearby lakes or reservoirs. You might even look for a water aerobics class geared toward seniors’ needs. Exercising together creates more motivation to do it regularly!
Exercise makes up a vital part of home care by helping seniors stay fit and enjoy life. They might even make new friends or strengthen existing friendships in the process!
For more tips on senior health read another blog post here!
Sources
CDC, “How Much Physical Activity Do Older Adults Need?”
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm
Langhammer, B., Bergland, A., & Rydwik, E. “The Importance of Physical Activity Exercise Among Older People”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6304477/