Seniors need to move it before they lose it

Many people over the age of sixty-five spend way too much time in their homes sitting in their favourite chair or chesterfield watching their life go by and not moving for hours. All of the professionals that are involved in the fitness and exercise world say this is wrong. We need to keep our bodies moving or we lose our ability to ambulate or move about in our surroundings.

Movement keeps our joints lubricated with synovial fluid so that they do not stiffen. Movement also stimulates our cardio-respiratory system to prevent heart attacks and improves the function of our lungs.

It is recommended that we should rise from our chairs and move about our premises every half hour as a risk management measure.

The Flourish 55+ Healthy Activity Centre encourages movement for seniors through many programs. It has tai chi and yoga instructors offering sessions on a regular basis. A new program is chair pound, where members exercise in their chairs but use sticks to assist movement of all four extremities.

Another new program that is getting great interest is square dancing for members that not only incorporates socializing but movement of the whole body in a relaxed atmosphere. Every few months the centre offers a senior dance either with video music of great artists or a live band. Seniors love to dance, and these social events are well received by the membership. There are many other ways seniors can learn to move through clubs, gyms, walking programs or structured individual sessions. The plus of joining a centre or club is that you socialize and move at the same time lowering the risk of an early death.

Many seniors will say that they cannot move as they would like due to disabilities requiring the use of a cane or walker. In order to maintain their mobility, they need to keep moving and for some they can improve their mobility by movement. Walking is definitely the best way and easiest way to maintain our mobility and prevent problems. Stories have also surfaced of seniors dancing in their living rooms to music for enjoyment and to keep their bodies moving. Whatever it takes to keep our bodies moving, we should embrace.

Everyone has their own interests so let’s learn to move and enjoy it at the same time.