Exercise is important for individuals of all ages, including seniors. Just because older individuals can’t enjoy the same intense workouts as their younger family members, it doesn’t mean they’re out of options. There are plenty of light exercises that all seniors can enjoy performing while improving their health and wellness.
Seniors have declining bodily functions that make falls more prevalent, like balance, walking, and vision problems. However, unlike young individuals who can bounce back quickly, falls can have serious consequences for senior adults. The best way to ensure that your older family members can withstand a fall is to continuously strengthen their bodies through light exercise.
Boost Immune System
Exercise produces a number of health benefits, like reducing stress while simultaneously increasing the amounts of antibodies and white blood cells in the body. Antibodies and white blood cells are the body’s main defense system against illness. Even small viruses, like the common cold, can be exceptionally taxing for a senior’s health, so it’s best that their immune system is as efficient as possible.
Strengthen Bones
The older we get, the more prone we are to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease where new bone tissue cannot sustain bone tissue loss, making bones weak and brittle. Strength training is a great exercise in helping preserve bone tissue. Seniors whose bones are of good quality are less likely to fall and can better withstand a fall.
Prevent Chronic Disease
Exercise is not only known to prevent chronic disease, but it can actually help hinder chronic disease from progressing even further. For example, a lot of seniors suffer from heart disease, arthritis, and dementia. Light exercise can improve heart health, maintain muscle strength, and enhance cognitive function.
Improve Cardiovascular Functions
Every time your senior family member is exercising his or her body, your loved one is also exercising his or her heart. Light exercise will raise the heart rate and improve circulation in the body. This, combined with a healthy diet, can prevent heart disease, strokes, or heart attacks in seniors.
If you’re unsure which exercises are best for your loved one, ask a BrightStar Care staff member. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personal care to your family!
Light Exercise Ideas
The Benefits of Light Exercise for Seniors
Prevent FallsSeniors have declining bodily functions that make falls more prevalent, like balance, walking, and vision problems. However, unlike young individuals who can bounce back quickly, falls can have serious consequences for senior adults. The best way to ensure that your older family members can withstand a fall is to continuously strengthen their bodies through light exercise.
Boost Immune System
Exercise produces a number of health benefits, like reducing stress while simultaneously increasing the amounts of antibodies and white blood cells in the body. Antibodies and white blood cells are the body’s main defense system against illness. Even small viruses, like the common cold, can be exceptionally taxing for a senior’s health, so it’s best that their immune system is as efficient as possible.
Strengthen Bones
The older we get, the more prone we are to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease where new bone tissue cannot sustain bone tissue loss, making bones weak and brittle. Strength training is a great exercise in helping preserve bone tissue. Seniors whose bones are of good quality are less likely to fall and can better withstand a fall.
Prevent Chronic Disease
Exercise is not only known to prevent chronic disease, but it can actually help hinder chronic disease from progressing even further. For example, a lot of seniors suffer from heart disease, arthritis, and dementia. Light exercise can improve heart health, maintain muscle strength, and enhance cognitive function.
Improve Cardiovascular Functions
Every time your senior family member is exercising his or her body, your loved one is also exercising his or her heart. Light exercise will raise the heart rate and improve circulation in the body. This, combined with a healthy diet, can prevent heart disease, strokes, or heart attacks in seniors.
If you’re unsure which exercises are best for your loved one, ask a BrightStar Care staff member. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personal care to your family!