An Effective Way To Support Healthy Aging

An article for people concerned with aging.

It's no secret that as we age, our health deteriorates, and though there are many things we can do to maintain a healthy life as we age, one of the most important is staying physically active. Yet many older individuals find it difficult or impossible to continue exercising in their old age. This is because they've forgotten how beneficial exercise is for maintaining a healthy body while mitigating some of its physical drawbacks like poor vision and mobility.

One way to remind your older loved one of the importance of exercise is by helping them set up an exercise routine that's tailored to their needs and abilities.

In the first few years after retiring from a job, many seniors find it difficult to stay physically active because they're not used to having a lot of extra time on their hands. It can be easy for your previously active family member to fall into a sedentary lifestyle and gain weight, which will likely have the unfortunate side effect of worsening or causing new health problems.

One solution is to encourage your family member to use that extra time on their hands productively by pursuing activities they enjoy. An example would be to get together with your old friend for a weekly cooking class. Another idea is to explore one of the many free activities available in the local community like a gym, swimming pool, or senior center.

Whether you're considering setting up an exercise routine for your loved one, or other ways that you can help them stay physically active as they age, it's important to know what sorts of things you can do to improve their quality of life. The following article will discuss some tips and tricks you can use to help your aging relative remain as healthy and active as possible while they've retired.

Going to the gym is not only a great way to keep active but also a great way to socialize with other people. With its many TVs, treadmills, exercise machines and free weights, it's easy to find a piece of equipment that you enjoy using. If you are fairly new to the gym, one of the best ways to maximize your time spent there is by using equipment that allows you to do more than one thing at once. For example, if you want to get in some cardiovascular activity while also working on some strength training then try the stair climber or elliptical machine. These machines allow users to perform high-intensity cardio exercises while at the same time building lean muscle mass. Another great choice for older fitness enthusiasts is to do aerobic exercise while utilizing dumbbells and resistance bands.

Keeping track of your exercise routine can be a challenge for older adults but is well worth the effort. By keeping track of their own workouts, it's easier to take note of what they need to work on in the gym and to remind them that staying active is important. You can keep track of your loved one's workout by collecting their receipts from the gym and then using those receipts for various rewards throughout the year. For example, you could reward them with a movie night if they've made it through a whole month without missing a workout session. At the end of the year, you can both celebrate their accomplishment by going to the gym and spending some quality time together.

For older adults who are more dependent on others, it's important to make sure they have great ways to stay in touch with friends and family. A great way to promote staying connected with old friends is through Facebook. It's simple and can be done from anywhere, which makes it a convenient way for older adults to stay updated on what's happening in their lives while making new friends as well. If your loved one isn't tech savvy, get them started using Facebook by setting up a profile for them so they'll know how easy it is.

Active older adults are generally happier older adults. Having a routine of staying active and connected with friends and family will help your aging relative remain happy and healthy while they enjoy their golden years.

For more information: http://healthyagingforlife.com/womens-health/sports-nutrition-in-women.html.

● STAY HEALTHY FOR LIFE: http://healthyagingforlife.com/.

● THE NEW BALANCE OF AGING: http://www.newbalanceofaging.org/.

Lawrence, John S. "The New Balance of Aging". In New Balance of Aging, Lawrence, John S., Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 2007. 97-118..

Holtzclaw, Peggy M., and Susan Gernert, eds., Wellness in Later Life . 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2011 519 p., ISBN 978-1-119-12093-0 (hardcover).

"The New Balance of Aging". In New Balance of Aging, Lawrence, John S., Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 2007. 97-118..

John S. Lawrence and Gary A. Zola . "Lifestyle Medicine for the 21st Century." 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 2005 577 p., ISBN 0-7817-1926-0 (hardcover).

Terry T. Current . "Staying Active With Your Older Loved One". In The New Balance of Aging , Lawrence, John S., ed., 69–79 . Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 2007 .

"The New Balance of Aging". In New Balance of Aging, Lawrence, John S., Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 2007. 97-118..

Articles in the News

Progressive Caregiver | January 21, 2015

Focusing on Physical Activity for Seniors

by Terry T. Current

If you're like me, you spend most of your time in the company of older adults. They play a role in your life either as your parents or as friends and neighbors who are seniors.

I work as the community services manager for a local Area Agency on Aging and in my position, I try to think of ways we can improve the lives of older adults in our community. One thing I've discovered while working with seniors is that many of them have difficulty staying physically active.

This decline in physical activity can be caused by a variety of factors. Many seniors find it difficult to stay physically active because they're not used to having a lot of extra time on their hands. It can be easy for your previously active family member to fall into a sedentary lifestyle and gain weight, which will likely have the unfortunate side effect of worsening or causing new health problems.

Conclusion

I'm not suggesting that your local senior should do nothing but sit on the couch and watch television all day. In fact, I believe that seniors should continue to stay physically active as long as they physically can. Here are a few things I recommend when working with older adults in your community who have difficulty staying physically active:Have an exercise routine, such as walking, hiking or biking with them at least once per week.This can be done even if your senior is no longer able to participate in a regular exercise program due to illness or physical limitations.Instead of purchasing new equipment for your loved one, use the equipment you already own.When they're doing their aerobic exercise routine, sit next to them and talk while they're exercising.