Throughout our lives, but particularly as we age, activity and stimulation are important to our physical and mental health. It’s importance can sometimes be understated, so, we have put together our top tips on staying active for elderly people.
Importance of Staying Active for Elderly People
As we age, it’s important to maintain our physical activity levels. Unfortunately, many older adults become less active as they age. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to several health problems, including obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis.
There are several reasons why staying active is important for elderly people. First, physical activity can help prevent or manage chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also help reduce the risk of falls and fractures. Additionally, staying active can help improve mental health, cognitive function, and sleep quality.
Furthermore, getting active provides us with a great opportunity to socialise with others. This helps to reduce the effects of loneliness and depression. Moreover, as we exercise, we release serotonin and endorphins, which enhance our mood and make us feel much better.
There are several ways that older adults can stay active. Walking is a great way to get moving, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or membership fees. Other options include swimming, gardening, dancing, and Tai Chi. If you have trouble staying motivated, try joining a fitness class or working out with a friend.
If you’re not sure how to get started, read our following tips or talk to your doctor about an appropriate exercise plan for you. Remember, even moderate amounts of physical activity can have benefits, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do everything all at once!
Understand Your Limits
Whilst staying active for elderly people is important, it is also crucial to know how much an individual can do. Older adults should start by understanding their physical limitations. This way, they can conserve their energy and move within their present constraints. There are several ways to do this, including modifying exercises, pacing yourself, and resting when needed.
If you’re starting a new exercise program, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your workouts. Pacing yourself will help you stay active for longer, without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. Likewise, if you need to rest during an activity, don’t be afraid to take a break. This will help you stay safe and avoid injuries.
Finally, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. Staying active for elderly people doesn’t just have one solution, what works for one person may not work for another. Be patient and experiment until you find something that suits you.
Set Attainable Goals
To stay motivated and active, it’s important to set realistic goals. This could mean anything from walking for 10 minutes a day to attending a fitness class once a week. The key is to start small and gradually increase your activity levels over time.
It can also be helpful to set short-term and long-term goals. For example, your short-term goal might be to walk for 20 minutes three times per week. Once you’ve achieved this, you can increase the duration or frequency of your walks. Your long-term goal might be to participate in a Race for Life event or take up a new hobby that involves physical activity.
Find an Activity You Enjoy
One of the best ways to stay active is to find an activity you enjoy. This could be anything from gardening to dancing to Tai Chi. If you’re not sure what you like, try different activities and see what works for you. It’s important to find something that’s enjoyable so that you’ll be more likely to stick with it in the long run.
There are countless activities to help elderly people stay active, so do not hesitate to explore your options and find something that interests you! When we enjoy something, staying active is far easier.
Think Young
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should run around and exercise all the time. Instead, it considers taking a positive and youthful approach to activity. It has been proven that those who think young stay active for longer. People who think of themselves as being younger are more likely to engage in physical activity, even as they got older. So, if you want to stay active into your golden years, it’s important to think young!
Rest!
Don’t forget that staying active also means taking the time to rest. As we age, our bodies require more recovery time after exercise. This is because our muscles and bones become weaker and more fragile. So, be sure to listen to your body and take breaks when you need them.
At any age, we require rest to allow our bodies to recover. This is no different as we age. By allowing time to rest, staying active for elderly people becomes far easier as they feel energised and can participate with less risk to their physical health. Furthermore, it allows us to enjoy our rest time as we believe that we have ‘earned’ it.
Staying Active with Hilgay Care Home
At Hilgay Care Home, we understand the importance of staying active for elderly people. So, we organise regular activities and excursions to encourage this. Not only does this have many physical benefits and keeps residents young at heart, but there are many mental benefits too! These activities allow residents to stimulate their minds and complete tasks. Furthermore, participating with other residents, it allows them to socialise with those around them, therefore reducing the effects of loneliness and depression. Staying active has many benefits for elderly people. Therefore, it is a key part of what we provide at Hilgay Care Home.
If you would like to learn more about the importance of staying active for elderly people or you would like to learn more about our residential and respite services, explore our website or contact us today on 01444 244756 or info@hilgaycarehome.co.uk.
Article: Phoenix Marketing