Why Should Seniors Stay Active?

Staying active is important for anyone but it’s especially important as people age. While staying active isn’t always easy, it is important as regular activity helps combat health conditions and diseases, maintain weight and improve mood. Being active can be made easier when there is a group to join or someone to guide older adults through activities that would be the most helpful. Older adults who live in senior living communities, like EverTrue Life Plan Communities, have these things and more available to them.

Studies by the Mather Institute have shown that older adults who make the most of assisted living, are more active than older adults who live on their own. Read on to learn a few reasons why staying active is important as people age.

Five Reasons Why Seniors Should Stay Active

The first thing Beth Nardoni, Director of Community Wellness at EverTrue Mason Pointe, an EverTrue Life Plan Community located in Town and Country, Missouri, says about the importance of staying active is: A body in motion stays in motion.

“Staying active is important for mental health and social wellbeing because it keeps mind and body growing,” said Nardoni. “Older adults need to be as active as their body allows.”

Cardiovascular health, improved mobility, greater strength, increased bone density – these are all benefits seniors can see from being more active. Increasing activity is good, but it’s also important for older adults to do so safely and remain mindful of any modifications they may need to make.

Staying Active Improves Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular health is the health of the heart and blood vessels. So, keeping the cardiovascular system healthy is very important.

“Daily cardio is something older adults should be doing,” said Nardoni. “Cardio activities look different for different abilities but it’s just getting heat rate up whether that’s walking or getting arms moving a little quicker.”

Nardoni suggests aqua classes as a good way for older adults to get in cardio because being in the water is beneficial for joints.

Exercising Maintains Body Weight

One’s metabolism can slow down with age. Physical activity is important in helping to maintain a healthy weight. Staying at a healthy weight for one’s age, build and activity level plays a vital role in overall health and preventing problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and breathing problems.

While it’s important to find an activity to help keep moving, older adults should also have a conversation with their doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Working Out Encourages Strength and Bone Density

As people age, muscle loss is common. But keeping strong is key to living as independently as possible and being able to participate in everyday activities. Resistance exercises are an easy way to build up strength.

“Adding some resistance to your activities is good,” said Nardoni. “We usually use resistance bands or hold water bottles or small weights while walking. Adding about three pounds is about right.”

Bone density can also lessen as people grow older. Exercise can help to increase bone density and protect older adults from fractures.

Coordination Exercises Prevent Falls

Because falls can be more serious for older adults, it’s especially important to prevent them. Balance exercises can help older adults increase their balance, potentially preventing falls in the future.

Exercises that focus on improving balance help older adults to be steadier on their feet and help with better coordination – two things that can prevent falls.

Social Activity Promotes Mental Health

“We also do tons of other activities that focus on social, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing,” said Nardoni. “Things like Bible study classes and trivia night.”

The focus on all areas of wellness is critical to one’s overall wellbeing. Social wellness activities promote mental health. Being part of a community and having positive interactions with others make people feel good! As people age, it’s especially important for them to find opportunities to be part of a community and be socially active.

Embrace Active Aging with EverTrue

EverTrue communities encourage active living for older adults in alignment with the EverTrue mission of Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest. In EverTrue communities, residents of all levels of living from Independent Living to Assisted Living to Memory Support and Long Term Care find opportunities to be well in many ways. Find an EverTrue community for you!