Leading an active lifestyle is crucial for older adults as it can reduce the risk of health conditions like heart disease, joint issues, diabetes, and some cancers. Staying physically active can maintain your loved ones’ fitness, in turn enhancing their overall health and quality of life. Here are some useful and simple home exercises for older adults to engage in at home.
Leg Stretches
Doing simple leg stretches will help your loved ones improve muscle and joint flexibility as they grow older. The movements should be simple and suitable for them to engage in and perform comfortably. For instance, while staying seated on the floor, twist the legs from side to side, then lift and lower the legs simultaneously.
Dancing
Dancing can be an especially beneficial activity for your aging loved ones wanting to stay in shape and build endurance. It is an easy, entertaining mode of cardio exercise that can help improve circulation, build up lung function, and even lower the risk of heart disease. You or your loved ones can simply shake it off and dance whenever the mood strikes; there’s no need to worry about doing it incorrectly since there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Table Tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is easy to understand and play yet very enjoyable. The game can be particularly relaxing such that playing it won’t feel like a workout. Anyone of all ages and physical statuses, even those with mobility limitations, can find enjoyment in this game. Your loved ones can attain several benefits from this activity, including improved arm strength, coordination, and flexibility.
Playing ping-pong is also one way for your loved ones to socialize with others and boost their social health. On the occasion that your aging loved ones require minor assistance with daily living activities or socialization and companionship a few hours a week, our respite care program at Discovery Commons South Biscayne can be an ideal solution. We thrive on helping residents maintain their independence while doing the things they love and optimizing their lives to the fullest.
Yoga
Studies have shown that practicing yoga regularly can reduce stress levels significantly. Do encourage your aging loved ones to learn yoga by watching videos on a computer or television, such that they can engage in this exercise alone or with their family and friends. The deep breathing techniques involved can enhance respiratory functioning and boost endurance for physical activities. Yoga is also useful in encouraging self-awareness as well as providing greater flexibility and improved joint health.
Arm Lifts
Arm lifts may be simple by just lifting and lowering the arms, but it has many benefits including increased upper body strength. Adding weights for the exercise can aid in building muscle mass and enhancing upper arm flexibility.
Lead an Active Lifestyle at Discovery Commons South Biscayne
Here at Discovery Commons South Biscayne, our Dimensions Health & Wellness program is aimed at every aspect of health including physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and medical. There are various amenities and programs in place to help our residents stay active, hence improving overall health and their quality of life. Contact us today to find out more about our programs.
