Exercise for the Elderly
We should all aim to set aside a little time each day to get even mild exercise. Some of us are fitness fanatics for whom a gym session is as natural a part of daily life as eating dinner, while there are those for whom even basic exercise is anathema. For older people, the importance of exercise is greater still, as a daily workout of no more than 30 minutes can significantly increase life expectancy and provide improved self-esteem.
Home Care Plus (http://www.homecareplus.ie/) created this infographic guide to exercise for older people, outlining an ideal exercise plan for senior citizens and explaining why a half-hour of exercise five days a week can drastically improve their lifestyle. Regular exercise helps older people to recover quicker from injuries, reduce the likelihood of contracting serious diseases, improve their balance and increase their mental capacity. It also adds a sense of purpose to their day, as they attune themselves to their 30-minute exercise window, after which they may feel tired but will almost certainly feel fulfilled and pleased with themselves.
Of course, the physical capabilities of older people aren’t as pronounced as in younger years, so there’s no need to exhaust themselves with high intensity workouts. Moderate routines such as walking, cycling, swimming or even yoga are perfect for providing a worthwhile workout without being overly taxing. Add in some strength and balance routines and you have a well-rounded exercise plan.
The hardest part could be convincing our elders to get the exercise they need. The first step is to speak with a doctor, who will advise on what routines are ideal and which are unsafe. Then, you can offer to accompany the elderly person on their exercise routine to build their self-confidence and motivation. Once they’re managing the workouts comfortably, they can then consider aiming for higher fitness targets to keep themselves motivated.
Exercise does not strictly mean working up a sweat and leaving ourselves gasping for air when it’s done. Slow and steady wins the race, especially so for older people.
