Growing older doesn’t make exercise less important. In fact, physical activity can help aging adults stave off serious health issues and enhance their quality of life. Seniors should find an exercise routine that doesn’t put too much stress on the body and stick with it. Below are some of the different ways exercise can benefit the elderly.
1. Lowers the Risk of Falls
Aging causes seniors to lose muscle mass and strength, increasing the risk of balance and flexibility problems. However, exercising is an excellent way to boost muscle strength, reducing the risk of slips, falls, and other serious accidents. Keep in mind it could take more time for seniors to recover from falls, which is why you need to develop ways to prevent accidents altogether. Staying physically active could increase your parent’s coordination and bone health.
Even if seniors have mobility issues or health challenges, they can still get the benefits of exercise, especially with the help of a trained professional caregiver. Rocklin elderly home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
2. Boosts Heart Health
The aging process also impacts the cardiovascular system, increasing the odds of cholesterol buildup and hypertension and putting seniors at higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and other serious issues. Exercising can increase the flow of blood throughout the body, preventing blood clots, spasms, and artery problems. Working out regularly can strengthen your loved one’s heart health and boost the function of other organs, such as the kidneys.
3. Prevents Obesity
Inactivity can lead to weight gain and other serious problems. The best exercises for seniors include walking, partial squatting, and weightlifting. Obesity can increase the risk of other health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. When exercising, your loved one can lose excess pounds and boost his or her metabolism. Staying active increases the odds of maintaining a healthy weight and preventing obesity.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Rocklin respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
4. Reduces the Risk of Memory Loss
Some of the exercises seniors perform can increase the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain, lowering the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. When your loved one works out, the physical activity could stimulate the growth and survival of his or her brain cells. Physical activity keeps learning, thinking, and reasoning skills in good shape. The chemicals that protect your loved one’s brain may also increase due to the physical movements and exercises, which could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or slow its progression.
5. Increases Socialization
Depression is a serious disorder, and seniors are at a higher risk of developing it due to inactivity and isolation. When your loved one works out, it produces natural feel-good hormones that can stave off depression. Walking through the local park, joining a dance class, and working out at the gym provide the opportunity to socialize. As a result, your loved one can enhance his or her mood and prevent boredom.
Seniors who need assistance with exercising safely can benefit from the help of a trained professional caregiver. Rocklin senior care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If you need professional care for your senior loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.