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PREVENT SICKNESS DURING THE FLU SEASON AND STAY FIT THIS OCTOBER!

October 12, 2018

The Importance of Health and Fitness for Seniors

PREVENT SICKNESS DURING THE FLU SEASON AND STAY FIT THIS OCTOBER!

As seniors, fitness is essential for staying mobile and active, and can even help lower your risk or help improve certain health conditions. Certain physical activities and specific regimens can even make quality of life better by reducing falls and improving balance.

The Importance of Health and Fitness for Seniors

Health and fitness routines are stressed across all lifespans. And though activity may be modified to accommodate age, physical restraints, ailments, and conditions, all forms of exercisers are respected. Seniors can truly benefit from healthy habits and physical activity.

With advancing age comes inevitable body changes, but partaking in exercise can prevent or delay diseases and improve the health of many seniors. Metabolism is known to slow down with each birthday that passes, making weight that much easier to gain. Unfortunately, most seniors experience a shift in their body composition an increased fat mass with reduced lean body mass and muscle strength. Seniors, especially women, may also have reduced bone strength, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
That being said, a well-rounded exercise regimen can reduce these age-related changes. Strength training and weight-bearing exercises can keep both muscles and bones strong. The strength of each can keep seniors more independent for completing day-to-day functions - cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc. Paired with stretching and balance exercises, the risk of falls may also be reduced. And if one were to fall, strong bones reduces the risk of bone fractures.

But senior fitness not only offers physical benefits. These individuals who exercise may have improved brain health. Keeping seniors at home not only reduces healthcare costs (from nursing homes, hospitalizations, etc.) but contributes to increased self-worth, independence, and happiness. Exercise may also improve cognition and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
 

Exercises for Elderly
Staying active promotes heart health, muscle strength, and improved balance. When it comes to completing exercises, they can be as simple or complex as tolerated. If newly jumping into the fitness scene, it is noteworthy to start small, as even a short walk can be beneficial. Recreational and senior centers are also great places to get active - they offer group classes, specialized training regimens, and direct assistance if wanted or needed.

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JOIN BRIGHTSTAR CARE THIS OCTOBER IN SPREADING FLU AND FITNESS AWARENESS TO YOUR LOVED ONES!

BrightStar Care of Williamsburg, VA provides the full continuum of home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.  

To learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Williamsburg families and businesses - CLICK HERE