Exercise for the Elderly

Is it safe for elderly people to exercise? Or is the risk of falls and other injuries too great? The benefits of your elderly parents exercising can far outweigh the risks. Almost all older people safely exercise and can also benefit from additional physical activity, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Regular exercise in the elderly helps protect from chronic disease, improves mood and lowers chances of injury.

Even elderly people with chronic illnesses can exercise safely. Many medical conditions are improved with exercise, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure and obesity.

Regular exercise provides a myriad of health benefits in your mom and dad, including improvements in blood pressure, diabetes, lipid profile, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neuro-cognitive function.

With age, the body does take a little longer to repair itself, but moderate physical activity is good for people of all ages and of all ability levels.

Here are some of the functions that exercising on a regular basis improves:

Immune Function – The elderly person’s body is able to fight off infection and sickness more easily and more quickly. Recovery from illness should be less strenuous.

Cardio-Respiratory and Cardiovascular Function – Regular physical activity lowers risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. If the elderly person has hypertension, exercise will lower blood pressure.

Bone Density/Osteoporosis – Exercise protects against loss in bone mass. Better bone density will reduce the risk of osteoporosis and lowers risk of falling and broken bones.

Gastrointestinal Function – Regular exercise promotes the efficient elimination of waste and encourages digestive health. 

Chronic Conditions and Cancer – Regular physical activity lowers risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, high cholesterol management and arthritis pain.

What exercises can elderly people safely participate in? Read the rest of the article: http://www.agingcare.com/95383

For more information on caring for elderly parents, visit www.agingcare.com.

Additional reading:

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