There are many exciting ways to incorporate productive motion into older adults’ daily lives. Here are a few ideas:
1. Join a Walking Club. If your or your loved one is able to — a walking club can provide healthy socialization. A botanical garden, a lake, or a nature trail is an excellent addition to a walking route. These locations will offer beautiful scenery, possible wildlife or bird sightings, and benches for resting, if needed (just watch for more possible tripping hazards on a natural trail). Gentle hills can provide more exercise. For further motivation, a walking club could join a charity walk together and be encouraged by supporting a good cause.
2. Go swimming. Swimming provides great exercise for the entire body and good cardio as well. Head to a pool to either swim laps or enjoy a water aerobics class. After a swim, take a dip in the hot tub or relax in the sauna.
3. Practice yoga. Yoga is perfect for seniors as it provides a gentle means to improve posture, balance, and coordination. If you or your loved one cannot sit on a yoga mat on the floor, try these chair exercises to increase strength and balance.
4. Lift weights. This exercise doesn’t have to be extreme! You can use lighter (two or three-pound) weights for safe strength training. Seniors lifting light weights may find doing this deceiving, as it may not feel effective. Even with light weights, exercise can be overdone. Go slowly to avoid injury.
5. Go on field trips. Remember how much fun field trips were when you were back in school? Getting out can be greatly enjoyable and valuable at any age.
Go to a museum, the zoo, or a baseball game. Long-term care homes may have a bus or van and welcome family caregivers along on their
community field trips.
6. Register for an art class. Try to incorporate simple and engaging crafts. Whether it’s pottery, painting, or knitting/quilting, certain creative pursuits can increase dexterity in senior fingers, which may not get much regular movement.
7. Play with grandchildren. Bending over and lifting young children or following them around at a playground can be so much fun that seniors may not even realize they are being more active, improving balance, and getting a workout!
The Benefits of Exercise for Seniors
Simply put, regular movement will keep a senior’s body and mind moving. Here are several, more specific, advantages of exercise for seniors:
• Prevention of Disease. Maintaining regular physical activity can build a stronger body and immune system to help fight against many common diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
• Increased Strength. Exercising helps maintain and build muscles.
• Improved Mental Health. Regular exercise also keeps the brain’s wheels turning. Your older loved one will have clearer thinking, better concentration, and improved focus.
• Fall Prevention. As seniors age, they become more unsteady on their feet. With safe exercise, a senior can build strength and improve balance.
• Better Flexibility. Regular stretching can result in being better able to bend, lean over, and reach for items.
• Social Engagement. Outdoor group activities with proper social distancing are encouraged. By exercising with others, seniors can enjoy the social interaction while building their strength.
• Improved quality of life. Incorporating exercise into one’s life leads to greater levels of happiness and energy.
• Reduced stress. Exercise is a great way to calm down. Exercising produces endorphins within the body, which help a person feel relaxed.
Keeping older adults moving will help their body, mind, and spirit – and that’s a good reason to keep them active for as long as possible! To learn more about how hiring a professional caregiver can help, visit TheKey.com.
We have the best caregivers ready to help—so you can live well in the home you love. Get in touch with us now to learn more.
The Key
239-494-1039
TheKey.com/Naples
1395 Panther Ln, #210, Napes, FL 34109
AHCA License #: HHA 299995190