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The Aging need to re-think their attitude about exercise
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Regular
exercise needs to be a priority for seniors and the elderly. The benefits of participating in a regular
exercise program are many.
ü Adds to
longevity and makes a vast difference in the quality of life for anyone
in the aging population.
ü
Boosts energy
levels, improves mood and confidence.
ü
Speeds up a slowing
metabolism and slows down weight gain.
ü
Increases
mobility, flexibility and balance.
ü Reduces impact
and risk of health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis,
digestive issues and colon cancer.
ü
Improves
sleep.
ü
Enhances brain
power and helps fight against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The
consequences for avoiding exercise for the seniors and the elderly are so many that it really
is foolish to steer clear of it. A sedentary
lifestyle taken into the golden years is a recipe for illness, falls, hospital
and nursing home bills and a premature loss of independence. Yet over 75% of our aging population is not participating in some sort of physical activity.
Here
are some commonly used excuses to justify not exercising.
ü
There is no point in exercising. I’m going to get old anyway. The
truth is that exercise will help you look and feel much younger than your
actual years. It will also help you stay
active a lot longer too. Regular exercise
lowers the risk of many health conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia,
heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure and obesity.
ü
Older people shouldn't exercise too much. They need to save their strength and rest. The truth is that a sedentary
lifestyle is very unhealthy for adults over 50.
Inactivity leads to inability very quickly. Sedentary seniors end up with more
hospitalizations, doctor visits, medications and falls than active seniors.
ü
Exercise puts the aging at risk of falling. The truth is that by building up muscle
strength, and stamina through exercise you greatly reduce the risk of
falls. Also exercise prevents the loss
of bone mass and improves balance making falls even less of a risk to the
aging.
ü
It’s too late to start now. The truth is you are never too old to start
exercising, even if it is for the first time in your life. There are many slow and easy ways to start
including walking, stretching, yoga, and then working up to low impact aerobics
or even ballroom dancing.
ü
I’m disabled and can’t really exercise sitting in a wheelchair. The truth is that chair-bound
people do face special challenges but they can still lift weights, stretch and
do chair aerobics. All of these types of
exercises will increase range of motion, improve muscle tone and help promote a
healthy heart.
The
truth is that exercise is the key to healthy aging. Today’s seniors and elderly who wish to be
proactive about their health need to get seriously active. No more excuses!
Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health
Care which provides services for the elderly and disabled who wish to remain safe and
independent at home. HomeAid is sister
company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical,
spiritual, mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999. Together the two family owned companies
provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.
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