Exercise Has Many Advantages:
Regular senior living IL exercise has been demonstrated to give a variety of health benefits for older persons, just as it has for younger adults. Here are a few of the advantages:
- Preventing falls
- Improving blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Lipid profile
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Cognitive
- Social & daily living activities.
It is NEVER TOO LATE to reap the benefits of physical activity.
Exercise consists of three components:
- Cardiovascular: Most days of the week, engage in moderate aerobic activity for a total of at least 30
- minutes. Individual bursts of activity could last as little as ten minutes. Walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, cycling, tennis, golf with a pull cart, and other activities are examples.
- Muscle Strength: Muscle strength is essential for daily actions. Muscle strength falls by 15% every decade at the age of 70, and by 30% per decade after that. Strength training engages each of the major muscular groups. Perform a single set of 10 to 15 reps with 8 to 10 exercises 2 to 3 times a week. You should do each repetition slowly, completely, and without holding your breath.
- Flexibility & Balance: Stretch key muscle groups once a day after exercise to maintain balance and flexibility.
Overcoming Exercise Obstacles:
- Before starting a fitness program, it’s a good idea to get your doctor’s approval and advice.
- Discomfort: Vary exercise intensity and range; begin cautiously and avoid overdoing. Listen to your body: if you get out of breath, take a break and then lower the intensity. If you experience pain, stop and determine if you may safely resume.
- Disability: Consult a physical therapist for customized workouts if you have a disability.
- Fear of Injuries: To begin, focus on balance and strength training; wear appropriate clothing, equipment, and supervision; and begin cautiously.
- Factors in the environment: Go for a walk in the mall or visit a senior center.
- Illness: Do not exercise until you have regained your strength and health.
- Fatigue: Match your energy level with a variety of exercises.
Regular exercise reduces mortality and age-related morbidity in older adults. People who started working out later in life had a lower risk of dying than those who started young and stopped.
If you know an older person that needs help with Physical Activities: It’s Never Too Late! Call our Alexi senior living firm at (815)534-5389 for more information on this and Celebrating Our Nurses.
