Exercise is good for you, especially if you are over the age of 65. According to the CDC, seniors 65 and older need at least 30 minutes a day of moderate physical exercise to prevent or delay many of the health problems that seem to come with age. Regular physical activity and exercise for seniors help improve mental and physical health, both of which will help them maintain their independence as they age. Exercise can help prevent disease, decrease the risk of falling, and improve mental health and cognitive function. All of these are so important.
For seniors and their caregivers who are looking to add a little activity to their routine, Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services Chicago Metro recommends that older adults spend about 150 minutes a week doing some sort of moderately-intense activity like brisk walking. Additionally, some household chores and yard work can increase the heart rate. Muscle-strengthening activities and exercises to improve balance should be included. These are activities anyone can do with a friend.
Daily Physical Activity
Making sure senior citizens are doing some type of physical activity each day is crucial. Although not all seniors can bike and swim, a simple walk around the block or to the end of the street makes all the difference. Keeping up with physical activity has been proven to improve mood, quality of life, and mental health, which is just as important for physical health especially when aging.
Nutrition
Having a balanced diet is another essential part of healthy aging. Making sure seniors are staying on top of their supplement intake and adding in daily nutrients such as potassium (bananas), vitamin C (oranges), and calcium (milk) are great practices.
Engaging Activities
With age, seniors’ minds begin to change. With alterations, it is a good idea to keep their minds working hard. This can mean anything from initiating daily color pages, crosswords, taking a trip to the grocery store, or movies to keep the brain stimulated.
Seniors Helping Seniors® provides a variety of services to support seniors so that they can maintain their independence and enjoy life not just in their homes, but also in their neighborhoods. These services include companionship, light housekeeping, cooking, shopping support, assistance with personal care, dementia care, pet care, yard work, and medication reminders.
For Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services Chicago Metro, it all comes down to The Power of Love® and providing compassionate care that makes seniors feel seen, heard, and independent while providing purpose and passion for its senior caregivers. Learn more about our services by calling or texting us at 312-526-3666.