Exercise For Seniors In Skilled Nursing
Did you know that in 2022 only about 13.9% of adults 65 or older met the federal guidelines for physical activity, according to the CDC?
Considering that regular exercise not only reduces senior’s risk of developing numerous chronic conditions but also helps maintain mobility as they age and has been linked to superior cognitive health, it’s very important to delve into how to improve exercise for seniors.
Why Is Exercise Important For Seniors?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, regular exercise is a significant part of maintaining overall health for seniors. This is even the case for seniors who may be struggling with chronic pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, or have gone through surgery, such as joint replacement.
Regular exercise for seniors can provide the following benefits:
- Increased muscle mass for improved strength
- Increased flexibility
- Stronger bones
- Improved mobility and balance
- Reduced risk of falls and overall injury
- Improved mood by reducing anxiety and depression
- Increased self-confidence
- Higher “good” cholesterol
- Better heart health
- Improved sleep
- Reduced joint and muscle pain
- May improve cognitive function
Reasons Exercising At Home Can Be Difficult For Seniors
- Safety concerns
- Lack of supervision risks injury
- Not having access to structured programs
- Not knowing where to start
What Are The Best Types Of Exercises For Seniors?
According to the National Council on Aging, exercise for older adults should include aerobic exercise, strength and resistance training, and stretching. They caution that high-intensity exercise is seldom recommended for seniors as it can pose a health and safety risk.
The following are ideal fitness exercises for seniors:
Yoga or Pilates
Yoga and Pilates both tend to be low impact workouts that focus on stretching and increasing flexibility, balance, and toning muscles. Balance exercises are particularly important for seniors to reduce fall risk. These types of exercises may even assist with certain types of chronic pain. When getting started, look for beginners’ courses and senior options.
An Enjoyable Aerobic Workout
Fitting in an aerobic workout can be as simple as taking a walk with a friend, joining a water aerobics class, or getting a stationary bike. You just want to get that heart pumping and those muscles working. The recommendation is 30 minutes a day, but you can break this up into 10-minute sessions, if that’s easier.
Low-Impact Strength Training
Using small weights and resistance bands to maintain muscle mass and strength as you age can make a lot of difference in your mobility. Low-impact strength training can look like:
- Squats
- Wall pushups
- Climbing stairs
- Single leg stands
- Leg lifts with resistance bands
- Lifting small weights
How Does Monument Health Group Support Senior Exercise In Our Skilled Nursing Facilities?
At Monument Health, we respect all patients’ unique abilities and goals. We offer supportive and compassionate care that is backed by the latest research to ensure the safest environment.
Monument Health is focused on providing seniors with skilled nursing care that results in measurable and functional outcomes.
This is achieved with:
- Exercise plans based on every patient’s needs.
- Supervision from professionally trained staff and therapists.
- Safety-enforced environment with fall prevention protocols.
- Group and individual exercise opportunities.
What Types Of Exercises Are Generally Provided At Monument Health?
Monument Health’s skilled nursing care facilities offer onsite physical therapy to assist seniors who are healing from an injury and/or require specialized exercises to treat specific types of pain.
We also offer the following fitness exercises for seniors:
- Strength training
- Resistance training
- Exercises for balance and coordination
- Exercise routines that encourage flexibility with gentle stretching
- Walking programs
- Functional mobility activities
How Do Physical Therapy Services Help Seniors Learn Exercises For Older Adults?
Monument Health offers physical therapy services that treat injuries, assist with chronic pain, increase performance, and teach seniors how to treat and prevent mobility issues.
Whether you’re receiving physical therapy treatment and/or participating in an exercise program for seniors, you can expect the following:
Benefits For Seniors:
- A boost in confidence
- More independence
- Better physical health
- Increased cognitive health
- Less chances of a fall and/or hospitalization
Benefits For Families:
- Less worry knowing their loved ones are safely exercising
- Guidance from professionals for seniors ongoing wellness
- Peace of mind that your loved one is being treated
Fitness exercises for seniors are a vital part of a healthy lifestyle as you age. If you or a loved one is struggling to incorporate exercises for seniors into your routine, talk to your doctor to discuss options for getting back into physical activity that is safe for you.
