Exercise is defined as an activity requiring physical effort, carried out especially to sustain or improve health and fitness. In fact, the loss of strength and stamina due to aging is partly caused by an absence of or reduced physical activity. The primary reason why older adults become hospitalized is because of falls due to lower body extremity weakness. Preserving muscle strength is very important in the elderly population which can be executed with dancing, physical therapy and horticulture therapies like gardening and yard work. There are a plethora of benefits that exercise provides older adults including:
Brain Health and Memory
Inspire the Mind
Exercise can help enhance the brain and preserve memory by stimulating the production of hormones in the brain. Harvard Health Publishing explains, “The benefits of exercise come directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors—chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the abundance and survival of new brain cells.” Physical exercise such as aerobic exercises increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to the brain which provides a nourishing environment for growing brain cells. Not only will this enhance cognitive functionality of the brain, but it also plays a key role in reducing stress.
Feel Happier
Rejuvenate the Spirit
Exercise is proven to improve mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. The increase of hormones in the brain alleviates the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. According to Healthline, “The effects of exercise on mood are so powerful that choosing to exercise (or not)… makes a difference.” Daily physical exercise is vital to maintaining a healthy mental state.
Good for Muscles and Bones
Engage the Body
Exercise helps build a strong skeletal system in your body. Like muscles, bones are living tissues that get stronger when you exercise. Exercising promotes muscle strength, hand-eye coordination and balance, which play a key role in preventing falls. Healthline notes that, “Exercise helps release hormones that promote the ability of your muscles to absorb amino acids.” As people get older, their muscle mass deteriorates leading to the eventual health decline of senior citizens.
At Spring Hills Senior Communities, we offer a variety of programs that encourage exercise for our senior residents. Our Vice President of Home Care Operations, Andre Gomez explains, “Ensuring that our senior residents and clients receive the recommended dosage of exercise, which is 150 minutes per week, is a vital tool we use to keep their health from declining. From simple things such as going for a walk around the building to more complex exercises, our exercise physiologists and physical therapists are trained to keep our seniors standing strong.” To learn more about our Signature Programs, contact us.