How Does Exercise Benefit Older Adults?

At Baldwin House Senior Living, we understand that active adults typically enjoy longer, happier and healthier lives. How does exercise benefit older adults? That’s something our residents ask us and something we talk about regularly.

Exercise helps you age more gracefully. When you’re active, you are healthier and happier, and you could help keep diseases and even trip-and-fall injuries at bay. Exercise doesn’t have to involve running a marathon or doing 100 push-ups a day or even pedaling an exercise bike for hours on end. Exercise for older, active adults could simply mean doing chair yoga or stretches. Active adults tend to park their cars further from the grocery store and walk to the store. Adults who are more active find ways to work exercise into their daily lives.

Some individuals find that if they wear fitness bands, they tend to be more active because they can “compete” with themselves and get more steps or activity today than they did yesterday.

How Does Exercise Benefit Older Adults?

Physical activity is necessary for a healthy, long life no matter what your age. When you’re more active it can help:

1. Improve strength and balance and could prevent a fall injury.
2. Lowers your risk of stroke, heart disease or type 2 diabetes.
3. Alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
4. With overall mental acuity.
5. Prevent bone loss.
6. Improve your mood, among other benefits.

Before you jumpstart any physical activity, talk with your doctor to ensure you’re healthy enough to do what you want to do. Your doctor may also be able to help you formulate an exercise plan to ease you from couch potato to active older adult.

What are some exercises that are great for older adults and seniors?

1. Yoga – chair yoga or floor
2. Taking a walk
3. Swimming
4. Strength training. You can do strength training in the comfort of your own home or apartment simply by doing squats, wall push-ups, using light resistance bands or even using canned food as light hand weights.

If you want to get more activity in your day, find a buddy to walk or exercise with. You may find that if you have someone to whom you’re accountable you may be more committed to getting – and staying – in shape.

Visit a Baldwin House Senior Living community near you and ask what activities we have planned for our residents. Baldwin House Senior Living is built upon the strong foundation of guiding families and empowering seniors.

Baldwin House combines care with compassion and dignity. We offer families peace of mind and give seniors who call Baldwin House home the freedom to live their very best lives. Call us today to schedule a visit. We’d love to meet you or your loved one!