Exercise important for senior health
Exercise has many benefits, and some of the ailments that can develop when people age may be delayed when people stay active.
Some seniors stop exercising due to physical constraints/limitations.
But, becoming sedentary can lead to disorders and diseases. Even those in wheelchairs can do some forms of exercise.
“Some people here are in groups that exercise faithfully. Certain groups like to be involved together and help each other to keep exercising,” said Mary Green, life enrichment coordinator at Parkway Place, a Buckner senior living community. “Even the people in wheelchairs exercise. They work with weights and do stretches, among other things.”
Green said that the people there like to do different kinds of exercise, including chair yoga and strength and stretch. Others like to use the exercise equipment and/or take classes.
“We have a wellness director who helps keep people motivated by calling them and encouraging them to exercise,” Green said.
When asked if people there liked to walk for exercise, she said that some have Fitbits and will update them on the number of steps they have so far that day.
Their facility is large enough that if they walk all around it they will get their steps in. Different types of exercise help different parts of the body. Strength training
When people age, their bodies begin to lose bone and muscle mass. Strength training can prevent or reverse some of the damage. Health experts recommend participating in exercises that get you moving and starts your blood pumping. You can use resistance bands for this.
Endurance exercises
Try to maintain or increase your stamina and endurance. Walk, do cardio either with equipment or doing something like mowing the lawn or taking a bike ride, garden, or whatever else you like to do.
Flexibility
Stretching exercises can help you extend your range of motion. Try yoga or simple stretching exercises. You don’t need expensive equipment to do this.
Exercise can help alleviate some of the pain caused by different diseases and conditions, like the following:
Arthritis: Regular activity is important for those who have this condition. It helps reduce the pain and stiffness that arthritis sufferers sometimes feel in their joints.
Cancer: Exercise can help improve overall cancer risk from some forms of cancer. Studies have shown that women who perform moderate to regular exercise have a 30-40 percent reduction in breast cancer.
Heart disease: It is one of the biggest causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four deaths is due to heart disease.
Regular exercise can help to keep the heart strong.
Depression: Research has shown that regular exercise can affect mood in a positive way. This can lead to a better quality of life. It can help stop or reduce negative feelings that sometimes come with aging.
Insomnia: Certain things can prevent people from getting enough sleep. This includes taking some medications, and the pressures of everyday life.
Getting more exercise can help with this.
Try to make exercise fun
People have found different ways to keep themselves motivated to exercise regularly. Below are some tips:
Do something you like to do. This will make it more likely you will keep doing it.
Do it with a friend. You can motivate each other to exercise.
Reward yourself. If you exercise all week, treat yourself.
Everyone’s fitness level is different. You may be able to do something a friend is unable to do, or vice versa. Don’t push yourself too hard. Health experts advise to start slowly if you haven’t exercised for a while.
If you can, exercise the same time every day, so it becomes part of your routine.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These have been called feelgood chemicals.
They are just a part of the rewards you will experience for exercising.