September Is Healthy Aging Month — Getting Started Safely
We all know that it's important to stay physically active as we get older. We hear about the age-defying benefits of regular exercise from our television shows, from advertisements, from doctors and other healthcare professionals, and of course, from blogs (like our last September’s Healthy Aging Month entry).
And yet, here's a sobering statistic: only about one-third of people between 65-74 remain physically active.
If you are worried that your older loved ones have fallen into the two-thirds who lack regular exercise, there are ways you can help. But before launching into a regime of early morning family hikes or signing them up for CrossFit, keep in mind the catch-22 issue many older folks face when starting an exercise program after a period of inactivity:
Lack of exercise can lead to problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, loss of bone density, balance issues and stiffness. And those problems in turn can make getting active again awkward, difficult, painful and even risky.
But that doesn't mean your loved ones can't get started building a healthier lifestyle in manageable, gentle and pleasant increments. And here’s one thing that newcomers to exercise have going for them: when someone is just getting started, every step counts — literally. Whether it’s taking a few extra steps around the house, a few stairs while running errands, or a few laps around the garden, it all counts. There are even exercises such as ankle and wrist rolls and torso twists that can be performed while sitting in a chair.
That’s right, sitting can be exercise, too — if you do it right.
To learn how to do it right, please download the Safe Exercises for Seniors PDF guide that we’ve linked to below. Then also check out the information from health.gov on Healthy Aging Month, and the links for details on the SilverSneakers program that might help MedicareAdvantage and Medigap members pay for a gym membership, personal training assistance or the use of an indoor pool.
And if you’d like some in-home personal assistance getting your loved ones up and about safely, remember that the compassionate caregivers at Overture are always just a phone call away. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation: (817) 887-9401.
LINKS:
Easy Exercises (Exercises That Are Safe For Seniors)
Healthy Living Is Healthy Aging – Health.gov – September 2021
https://health.gov/news/202109/health-and-well-being-matter-healthy-living-healthy-aging
Medicare Advantage and Medigap SilverSneakers Program Information
https://www.medicare.org/articles/what-is-the-silversneakers-program/
https://tools.silversneakers.com/