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Activities for Seniors

Staying Fit in Your Senior Years

staying-fit-for-seniors

Senior living doesn’t look like it used to. Gone are the days when retirees were faced with day after day of wheelchairs and television reruns. Today, even in assisted living, age doesn’t need to be a barrier to staying active and healthy. Staying fit in your senior years may not look like it did when you were in your prime, but there are more options out there than you think.

We’ve gathered some of the simplest and easiest ways for you to stay in good physical health as you age. It’s never too late to improve your fitness levels. Regular exercise can help improve your mood, reduce muscle and joint pain, slow down osteoporosis, and even boost your memory.

staying-fit-for-seniors

Always Talk to Your Doctor First

Remember to check with your doctor before you start any new diet or exercise program. If you have a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or pulmonary disease, you may need to take extra precautions to exercise safely.

Your doctor can also likely recommend specific local resources such as physical therapists or personal trainers who specialize in working with senior citizens.

Low-Impact Exercise for Seniors

When you’re choosing an exercise program to try, the key phrase to look for is “low impact.” Low-impact exercise is still healthy but puts less strain on your heart, joints, and muscles. Because low-impact exercise typically involves having at least one foot on the ground at all times, it is also a better choice for those with balance or mobility problems.

Even low-impact exercise can get your heart pumping enough to make a big difference. Just taking a simple walk every day benefits your heart, lung, and joint health. Evidence suggests that even brain health and memory improve with regular low-impact exercise.

Other forms of fun, low-impact, senior-appropriate exercise that you may want to explore include:

  • Water aerobics or synchronized swimming
  • Dance lessons
  • Cycling on a stationary bike
  • Swimming laps
  • Gardening
  • Resistance training (weight lifting or resistance bands)
  • Golf
  • Tai Chi (shadow boxing)

Remember that if any of these are new to you, it’s important to start by getting help from an experienced teacher. Even with low-impact exercise, it’s possible to injure yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Mobility Considerations

If you use a cane or walker, or even if you’re in a wheelchair, staying fit is still for you! While mobility limitations do put some forms of exercise beyond your reach, you may be very surprised by what is still feasible.

Often, seniors with mobility issues enjoy what is called chair exercise. Chair exercise means an exercise routine that you do while seated.

Many assisted living residences and senior centers offer chair-based exercise classes including aerobics, yoga, pilates, and sometimes even weight lifting or dance. No matter what your level of fitness, you can find a way to get moving and start reaping the benefits today.

Exercise for Mental Health

In senior living, our watchword is always to promote the greatest level of independence possible. Strengthening your muscles, bones, and joints through a regular fitness program helps extend your years of mobility and overall health.

But on top of all the physical benefits, exercise has major mental health advantages. Seniors with a fitness routine have lower rates of depression, better brain health, and fewer feelings of isolation. Even some dementia symptoms improve with appropriate exercise.

Are you interested in learning more about how assisted living could help you improve your physical health and fitness? Contact us today to chat about physical enrichment at New Haven Assisted Living.

Resources for Seniors in Quarantine

resources for seniors in quarantine

As the Coronavirus crisis continues, many of us are living under stay-at-home orders or are choosing to voluntarily self-isolate for safety reasons. But isolation is hard for everyone, and it is especially hard for seniors. You may already have been managing age-related changes in your social habits and relationships, and now this. What can be done to help deal with the struggles of isolation? We’d like to share these resources for seniors in quarantine with you.

resources for seniors in quarantine

Dealing With Boredom During a Pandemic

Boredom is a major problem for anybody who is newly homebound, and it seems like it only gets worse with time. Staying entertained at home can improve your mental health and morale.

  • Explore a new hobby. It’s a great time to try something new. Simple crafts like bead making, soap carving, or painting are simple and inexpensive for beginners. If a craft doesn’t sound like your thing, try gardening or tending houseplants, doing jigsaw puzzles, or listening to audiobooks. You can even get free audiobooks from your library on your phone or computer. 
  • Go digital. The world online has more than ever to offer to those stuck at home. With a computer, iPad, or smartphone, you can access a wealth of free entertainment and enrichment resources. Try everything from home workout programs to podcasts  to new communities of like-minded friends. 
  • Make a call. If you can’t visit with friends or family, why not arrange a video call? You can even organize a game night! From bingo to cards to classic board games like Scrabble, pull out your smartphone and join the fun with old friends or new ones. 
  • Enjoy some culture. The internet also offers arts and culture experiences, from YouTube videos of live theater and dance to digital tours of museums around the world. You may not be able to get on a plane right now but it doesn’t need to stop you from seeing the sights!

Dealing With Stress During a Pandemic

Beyond boredom, isolation can lead to sadness, stress, and anxiety. When your routine is suddenly changed, it’s hard to find ways to keep going at home.

  • Keep up with exercise.  Even if you can’t get to the gym or your exercise class, you can stay active. From home videos and DVDs to free and premium options on digital streaming services, home exercise instruction has never been easier to find at every level of ability. Just remember not to undertake a new exercise routine without consulting your doctor. 
  • Keep up with nutrition. Low blood sugar can make you irritable or anxious. To avoid this, keep a regular routine with meals. Making a meal plan or trying new recipes can help prevent food boredom. 
  • Treat yourself to something nice. When stress starts to get to you, try conscious steps to lift your mood. A new book, a walk around the block, or a phone call to a loved one can all help chase the blues away.

Dealing With Practical Needs During a Pandemic

Sometimes the hardest needs to meet are practical ones. For seniors newly stuck at home, there may be a learning curve for meeting daily practical needs.

  • Try food delivery. There’s been a boom in food delivery service recently and they’re extra helpful now. Grocery delivery services like Instacart and Dumpling  are easy to set up on a basic smartphone and most stores now offer curbside pickup so you can fill your pantry without ever leaving the car. 
  • Protect yourself and others. If you’re out and about, wear a mask and wash hands often. Keep physical distance from others. Use sanitizing cleaners to wipe down surfaces in your home after you have a visitor or bring something in from outside. Remember not to mix different kinds of cleaning products as this can create toxic fumes. 
  • Take your finances online. There’s never been a better time to go paperless. If you usually bank and pay bills by mail or in person, consider switching to online banking online banking and bill pay. Reach out by phone to your bank or utilities companies for reliable and secure help.

Life is certainly upside-down right now. But quality of life, mental health, and physical safety don’t need to suffer. Taking care of yourself is more important than ever. 

If managing life at home without the help and community you’ve been used to is feeling like too much, assisted living may be a good option for you. To learn more about assisted living and how it can lighten your load, why not visit us for a digital tour today?

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