According to Dr. Kevin O’Neil, the Medical Director for Brookdale Senior Living, physical movement and exercise is the cheapest and easiest way to improve health and assist in leading to a longer life in elders. Dr. O’Neil has taught and practiced geriatric medicine for over 27 years and he feel that there are numerous medical benefits by being more physically active. Some of these benefits include:
- Weight Control
- Controls Blood sugar
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Reduces falls
- Improves Memory
- And it can assist in enhancing immune systems, along with a variety of other beneficial factors.
There are often times common misconceptions about being physically active at an older age. Some misconceptions may be that if you experience pain during movement, then you are at risk of injury. Where that may be true in some circumstance, that assumption is not correct in all situations. Arthritis is a prime example. Arthritis pain may actually increase and lead to more stiffness in joints if there is not enough adequate joint movement.
Fatigue during physical movement may also be a cause for one to pass on the invitation or idea to exercise. Fatigue, in most cases, is due to one being out of shape. By staring to exercise slowly and then increasing the pace and time frame over an extended period of time, studies have proven that overtime there will be an increase in overall energy levels.
Finally be sure to make your exercise groups fun and entertaining. Jazz some programs up with some upbeat songs from the past that could spark some memories of dancing when the residents were in their teens. Also be sure to modify your exercise programs to meet all the physical needs of your residents. For example, do a chair exercise group with the option to stand during certain segments.
More articles on beneficial exercise programs can be found here.
