You’ve been told it’s time to get moving for the health of your heart, but you’ve been more sedentary in older adulthood and just don’t know how to begin or what to do to ensure that your health and safety remains a priority. You’re not alone, so don’t hesitate to get started and follow these guidelines:

1. Talk to a doctor  - seniors should never start a new exercise program without first consulting a doctor

2. Invest in the right clothing – the right clothing is important for anyone who’s engaged in a physical activity, but seniors who are sensitive to changing temperatures and at a greater risk for injury should be more cautious. Supportive, comfortable shoes are essential, and clothing should be loose yet flexible and breathable

3. Always warm-up – exercise should never begin without a warm-up to prevent injury. A low-impact activity can warm up muscles, get blood circulating and increase overall body temperature

4. Don’t start too quickly – early into an exercise program, seniors need to build their endurance. Going too hard, too fast can be physically damaging. Intensity can be built as endurance improves

5. Cool down – a cool down portion of a workout is as important as the warm-up. It allows the body to physically cool down and move into a state of rest

6. Schedule it in – to keep up the motivation to exercise, seniors should set their next workout!

Via: The Franklin Institute

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Simple lifestyle changes are the best way for a senior to incorporate exercise into your daily routine; drastic changes are less likely to be kept up so benefit your heart with these activities:

1. Park farther from entrances in parking lots – instead of parking as close to the door as possible, park a little bit further away to get in some exercise

2. Start walking before you arrive at your house – if you’re taking a bus or even getting a ride, get out a few minutes early and walk the rest of the way to your destination

3. Take the stairs – depending upon your physical abilities, taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator can benefit you greatly

4. Take a break – if you work or are engaged in volunteer activities, take a little stroll on your break

5. See cleaning as exercise – try to turn housework into exercise and do it at a brisk pace. Vacuum, mow the lawn, dust or rake leaves and get your heart rate up

6. Walk your pet – if you have a dog, it needs exercise, but so do you. Make it an enjoyable activity to do together daily

7. Exercise with family – if you live with family members, make exercise part of your ritual. Or invite friends or family for a stroll in the park

Via: The Franklin Institute

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Yoga is all the rage today, but despite just how trendy it’s become, it isn’t just an activity for the younger demographic. Yoga benefits people of all ages, but for those Palm Desert seniors who want to try out the popular activity that can help older adults to relax, improve flexibility and balance as well as overall health, there is chair yoga for those with more limited mobility.

How chair yoga is beneficial for seniors:

• One or two chairs are used to provide balance and support in poses to seniors who might not be as limber

• Virtually all yoga poses can be done in modified versions using a chair, so seniors still get the same benefits without risking injury

• Despite the fact that seniors feel as though they won’t receive the same benefits by using a chair, all poses are still kept challenging, and many are surprised about how difficult chair yoga can be without the strain!

• Yoga, even when using a chair can improve concentration and help seniors to alleviate symptoms of insomnia and other health issues

If you’re a senior who has found it a challenge to come up with a physical activity with a range of benefits that won’t put too much strain on your body; try chair yoga!

Via: USA Today

Trusted Home Care for seniors and elderly living in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Please call us for more information at 1-760-469-4441.

For many seniors, it’s very daunting to think of beginning an exercise program, and when they don’t have easy access to a gym or fitness center where guided classes and instructions are offered, it can be hard to know where to start. With a new video game system, the Wii Fit by Nintendo, seniors are finally able to bring a regimented, well-rounded fitness program into their own homes. The Nintendo Wii Fit offers more than just traditional video games to seniors at home; it offers a physical fitness program that incorporates yoga, resistance training, cardio and balance activities which are the perfect recipe to help a Palm Springs senior maintain their physical health into older adulthood!

Of course, since the Wii Fit is a video game system, it does require an initial investment by seniors, however, it can offer more than just a fitness program because the activities are also a great way to bond with younger generations in the same family and bridge the generational gap that can exist when it comes to mutual interests!

Sources:

1. Chicago Tribune

2. The Medical News

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Home Care in Palm Springs and Palm Desert providing safe and quality in home care for aging loved ones when family members and friends cannot be there.  Call us for more information at (760) 404-1423.