Happy Senior Health & Fitness Day!

Most people know how beneficial exercise is, but many seniors avoid exercising because they think they’re avoiding unnecessary risk, because they are too fragile, or their arthritis makes them sore. Surprisingly, exercise is very beneficial to seniors especially if they suffer from arthritis or are not very strong. Seniors who avoid daily exercise may be at a higher risk than those who don’t because frail individuals are more prone to falling and breaking bones which then takes longer for seniors to heal and recover.

Seniors do not have to participate in strenuous activities to get the health benefits. I say “Just get moving!” Seniors should do activities they enjoy and do as much for themselves as you physically can when it comes to their activities of daily living: cooking, bathing, walking to get the mail, light cleaning, planting, shopping, dancing, and more.

According to the National Institute of Aging, exercise isn’t just for seniors in the younger age range. People who are 80, 90 or older can also benefit greatly from physical activity. Exercising regularly can help prevent or delay some diseases and disabilities as people age. In some cases, it can improve health and independence for older people who already have diseases and disabilities, if it’s done on a long-term, regular basis.

My grandma is 91 and I use to try and help her do everything until one day she said, “If I can do it, let me do it, even if it takes me a long time!” Well, our grocery shopping trips can take up to 2-3 hours, but that’s okay because she’s doing it and it’s good for her to move!

According to one of the nation's experts on aging, Dr. Richard J. Hodes, Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in an interview with NIH MedlinePlus magazine emphasized the immense importance of exercise to age well and the need for seniors and others to exercise regularly. He said, “Research has shown that regular physical activity improves quality of life for older adults and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and many other illnesses and disabilities-in many ways, it is the best prescription we have for healthy, successful aging.”

So, whether you are a senior or you have senior family members, make exercise a priority. If you have questions feel free to contact me for a consultation.

Health benefits of exercise for seniors may include the following:

Increase mental capacity

Prevent & reduce disease

Improve healing

Improve quality of life

Increase balance

Increase life expectancy

Improve blood pressure

Improve diabetes

Improve immune function

Improve cardiovascular function

Improve bone density

Improve digestion issues

Improve osteoarthritis

Improve osteoporosis function

Reduce pain

Improve neuro-cognitive

Have exercise questions about you or a loved one? Contact me for a health coaching

consultation.