It is important for elderly individual to exercise on a regular basis in order to maintain independence, did you know:
• Only 22% of elderly Americans take part in exercise on a regular basis
• 4 out of 10 individuals in America aged 65 or over have difficulty completing basic tasks and daily living activities
• The number of falls within the elderly population could potentially be reduced if individuals were to exercise on a regular basis
The figures shown above for America are likely to be similar in the UK, many of us need to be doing more exercise for better health outcomes.
This article looks at how exercise can impact on an individual’s daily life, maintain independence for longer and the help that Home Care can give.
Elderly People Exercise
It is recommended that elderly people partake in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. This can include activities such as: brisk walking, water aerobics, tennis, and general gardening. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity will make you breathe harder and raise your heart beat, this healps to makie your heart stronger.
Elderly people should also complete muscle-strengthening activities 2 or 3 days a week. This activities should work all of the major muscle groups which include: legs, back, hips, chest, arms, abdomen and shoulders. Muscle-strengthening activities are generally repetitive movements to help build muscles up over time. These activities include: bicep curls, chair stands, arm raises, knee flexes, hip flexes, and shoulder flexes.
The weekly recommended level of activity for elderly people can be spread out over time, however in order for it to be effective it is recommended that individuals spend no less than 10 minutes at a time exercising.
Benefits Of Exercise For Older People
There are a number of benefits that exercising on a regular basis can have on the elderly and these include: maintaining independence, preventing a wide variety of medical conditions, improving cardiovascular strength, reducing stress, improving mood, and reducing the risk of falls.
Exercise can reduce the risk of an older person developing a variety of medical conditions, and this is largely because regular exercise can help to improve an individual’s overall health and well-being. For example regular exercise can help to prevent Osteoporosis because it can help to increase bone density. This in turn can help to reduce the likelihood of an individual suffering from falls because they will become stronger, and more able to mobilise with confidence.
By exercising regularly elderly individuals can also maintain independence for longer, this is because staying active can help to improve overall strength and health. This means that the individual is likely to suffer from falls, meaning that they will be able to live at home and remain independent for much longer in comparison to those who don’t exercise on a regular basis.
Exercise can help to release endorphins which in turn can help to relieve stress and improve the overall mood of the individual. Regular exercise could also help to boost an individual’s confidence which can improve the individual’s mood further.
Simple exercises done at home cost nothing but can be of great benefit if done consistently. It is worth finding out what local exercise groups there are, these groups enable you to exercise and socialise at the same time.
Home Care
Implementing a Home Care package could also be extremely beneficial for older people. This is because a care worker would be able to visit them within their own home, and help them to participate in activities that they enjoy. For example a care worker may be able to take an individual out for a walk, to ensure that they are getting some exercise on a regular basis.
Through a Home Care package individuals can maintain independence for longer because they will receive the support that they need to remain active. Care Workers will also be able to provide them with encouragement in order to help boost their confidence and self-esteem.