Exercise Safely – A guide for seniors
Exercise is important for a healthy lifestyle.
We are active as children and young adults. In those times of our lives, we often take the ease of mobility for granted. As we age it can be harder to do simple physical motions which can cause us to not be as active and can lead to issues. The CDC says that 28% of people over the age of 50 are inactive. This is a staggering statistic. Consider the number of senior citizens in the United States. Having a long-lasting, comfortable life requires daily activity.
Exercise can even be dangerous to senior citizens. They are more prone to falls and injuries during exercising. That’s why it is important to incorporate safe exercises into an aging person’s life, regardless of whether they are living alone or not.
First of all, it is crucial to have your loved one visit their doctor to ensure what exercises they can and cannot do. A doctor will be able to keep you updated on any medical ailments. They can also share a variety of safe exercises to do at home or at a local gym.
There are different ways to exercise and for different reasons. Have your loved one discuss with their doctor the results they want from their exercise. They can either exercise for strength, balance, or flexibility.
- Exercising for strength will help with daily activities
- Exercising for balance will help prevent your loved one from falling
- Exercising for flexibility will help keep your loved one from feeling stiff
If you can, it’s a good idea to incorporate all these exercises into your routine. This will help your loved one to have a well-rounded exercise regimen.
YouTube is a great place for your loved one to find exercises for their age. YouTube is free and easy to use. This is a great way for a senior citizen to exercise at home alone. The National Institute on Aging channel offers insight into many things. Videos on healthy stretching to strength building are available. Here are some other channels to check out:
Yoga is a safe and low impact form of exercise. Yoga encourages flexibility, strength, and balance. Different poses help a person focus on different parts of the body. Yoga videos are accessible on the internet.
Swimming is also a great aerobic exercise because of its low impact. Ensure that if your loved one is going to swim alone that there is a plan set in place if something were to happen. Set up a daily check in before and after their exercise time.
Encourage them to exercise with others. Exercising with others helps build community and it is safer. Whether it is a walk with a friend or a water aerobics class at the local YMCA, exercise has a big impact on longevity. Find anything that's safe and works.
https://aaptiv.com/magazine/strength-training-for-older-adults-tips
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