Are you taking advantage of the warm and sunny weather yet? With spring well underway, many Canadians are already enjoying the great outdoors. The return to outdoor jogging, for example, is a happening that many are currently relishing. Although we shouldn’t have to wait for nice weather to exercise, it certainly helps! No matter your age, daily activity is recommended. Yes, we’re talking about seniors too.
For older adults, remaining active is very important. Let’s explore why.
It promotes social engagement.
Many seniors are prone to feeling lonely and isolated. This has most certainly been true over the course of the past two years. For much of that time period, we’ve all been cooped up inside attempting to avoid illness brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. By getting daily exercise, a senior doesn’t just improve his/her physical well-being. He/she is also able to engage with others, build friendships and better his/her mental health.
“Whether you join a walking group, go to group fitness classes or visit a gardening club, exercise can be made into a fun social event,” points out TheGreenFields.org, “Maintaining strong social ties is important for aging adults to feel a sense of purpose and avoid feelings of loneliness or depression. Above all, the key is to find a form of exercise you love, and it will never feel like a chore again.”
It helps to manage body weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight is a wise choice for people of all ages. But, it goes without saying that it’s easier when you’re young. As we age, our metabolism slows down. This is what makes exercise even more important in our later years. Seniors are most susceptible to obesity, diabetes and heart disease if they are overweight. As well, being too heavy limits mobility, leading to increased aches and pains and decreased independence.
“Exercise helps people of all ages maintain or lose body weight,” says Oregon’s Northwest Primary Care, “However, our metabolism naturally slows with age, so the importance of exercise increases. Adding cardio and strength training workouts develops muscle mass, and in turn, increases metabolism and burns more calories to promote positive weight loss.”
It decreases the risk of falling.
According to the Government of Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians. About 20 to 30% of seniors experiencing one or more falls every year. Falls cause 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations and 95% of all hip fractures. Needless to say, it’s vital to protect older adults from falling. By getting in regular exercise, a senior improves his/her overall strength, balance and mobility. It’s a great way to stay upright!
“Older adults are at a higher risk of falls, which can prove to be potentially disastrous for maintaining independence,” notes TheGreenFields.org, “Exercise improves strength and flexibility, which also help improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. Seniors take much longer to recover from falls, so anything that helps avoid them in the first place is critical.”
At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we offer a wide range of high-quality mobility solutions that help seniors to get around safely and avoid dangerous falls. Among them are mobility scooters, wheeled walkers and rollators. To learn all about them, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at [email protected]. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
