Gentle workouts for older adults often include dementia-friendly movement. Light aerobic exercises are perfect if you're looking to adopt exercise for seniors over 75. These include Yoga, light cardio, and outdoor activities.
According to the CDC, senior adults need at least 150 minutes of light aerobic exercise every week. While nearly three hours of exercise can sound daunting, safe exercise for aging is much easier to accomplish than you may believe.
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If you're curious about physical activity in memory care, we're here to help. Read on for a brief overview of staying active in advanced age.
To start, what is dementia, and how will it impact your mobility?
According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia is a general term and not a single condition. Dementia refers to a loss of cognitive abilities, often including:
These cognitive challenges can drastically impact our physicality as well. While dementia doesn't directly impact our physical form,our mind is deeply tied to how well we can exercise, move, and control our bodies.
But how does our physical health impact dementia? Working out is a good way to stave off symptoms or even reduce your risk of dementia.
It's important to note that no amount of exercise can eliminate dementia or dementia-like symptoms. However, research from Johns Hopkins shows that dementia risks are about 60% lower after only an hour of exercise and physical activity a week.
In short, exercising can help lessen dementia symptoms and reduce the risk of dementia. While it won't eliminate it outright, it's one of the best ways to enhance your quality of life.
What are some good exercises for dementia-friendly movement? One of the best ways is to find physical activity in memory care that focuses on stationary exercises. Here are some of the best exercises for seniors over 75.
Movement doesn't have to mean travel. If you're going for a walk, dementia is going to pose significant threats. It's much easier to get lost or injured if your mind is struggling to remember directions, for example.
Instead, consider ways to exercise while staying inside. When doing simple cardio, many people will use treadmills for a leisurely or brisk walk. If your body is capable, you may even enjoy running on a treadmill.
Another great choice is the stationary bike. The stationary bike lets you get miles and miles of travel without ever moving an inch. It's the perfect way to get the benefit of a bike ride without the danger of riding an actual bicycle.
While staying stationary, you may wonder what other exercises you can do that don't require machinery. One of the best things you should consider comes from meditative exercises.
The first thing to consider is Yoga. Yoga only tasks you with gentle, stationary poses that you hold for a set time. They're deeply customizable, meaning any physical limitations you may have are easy to adjust to.
Does getting on the floor to strike a pose sound daunting? Another great choice is Chair Yoga. As the name suggests, this is Yoga that makes use of a chair.
Chair Yoga is great to provide you with a source of stability and balance. You can also perform chair yoga while sitting in the chair, making it so you don't have to worry about lowering and getting up.
Does Yoga sound good, but a bit too stationary? Tai Chi is another excellent meditative exercise that gives you more room to move. It's also technically stationary, as you won't travel while you exercise.
Tai Chi uses slow, gentle, relaxed movements to encourage flexibility and balance. It's ideal for seniors who are dealing with limitations to their mobility or challenges to their balance.
Tai Chi is also often done in large groups or a class format. That makes it perfect for mixing it with your socialization! Keep track of your community's activity calendar to see what's available.
Strength training is a broad term for any exercise that increases your muscle strength. It's perfect for building your body toward strength and stability in senior living. But what strength exercises are safe for seniors?
Resistance bands are a classic workout. These are effectively giant rubber bands that provide you with resistance to help you build muscle.
Unfortunately, no level of exercise will stop dementia symptoms. However, exercise can lessen their severity or lower your chance of developing dementia.
Exercising will help you to make the most of your golden years, as well as help fend off symptoms. Still, you may find greater comfort by transitioning to a memory care program. These programs can help you stay on track with your exercise routines.
Seniors may find it easiest to perform stationary exercises. Swimming and simple cardio exercises are the best, as they present the least impact on your body. Consider what senior-friendly amenities your community provides.
For physical activity in memory care, it's best to work out with a group or a professional. Speak to your doctor to see what exercises they recommend.
That said, plenty of exercises are still safe and comfortable to do alone. Consider looking into seated exercises in particular to highlight safety while exercising alone.
Finding the right exercise for seniors over 75 means focusing on safety and stability above all else. Many gentle workouts for older adults focus on aerobic exercise and gentle strength training. These exercises provide dementia-friendly movement while also enhancing your stability and balance.
At Signal Mounting Senior Living, we're proud to help you with this transition into your golden years. Our idyllic location at the base of Signal Mountain is unmatched, letting you spend your days surrounded by acres of natural beauty. Contact us today to schedule your tour!