Staying active is important for seniors who wish to maintain their overall well-being in their golden years. Engaging in frequent workouts and physical activities will almost automatically lead to a greater quality of life. However, for older adults facing limited mobility and movements, exercising and keeping fit may posit challenges. This is because you may struggle with strength exercises, or when you’re limited by your movements, you’ll naturally fall behind in terms of keeping fit.
If you or your loved ones are seeking to reap the brain-boosting benefits of exercise, read on to find out some exercises for limited mobility that seniors may wish to follow, as well as exercise tips that seniors can undertake to improve their physical health in their fitness journey!
Start Slow
Going fast and hard on the exercises can take a toll on your body and health, especially for seniors who aren’t familiar with and used to the regimes of workouts yet. It is important for you or your loved ones who have had sedentary lifestyles all these while to slowly adjust to new movements which will allow your body to get used to it as well. Rushing in too quickly can be a recipe for failure as you may overdo and result in burnout, or worse, lead to injuries should you be careless.
Avoid strenuous workouts that can take a toll on your unfamiliar body – instead, take it easy and start slow. You can slowly progress by increasing the intensity or frequency of your exercises as days pass, but the initial stages are crucial in that you need to let your body get used to the intensity of the exercises. For seniors with limited mobility, this is the most important factor to take note of to prevent your range of movement from deteriorating.
Be Consistent
To reap the benefits of exercising, you have to be consistent with the workouts to see results. Think about it, why do gym instructors advocate for a gym workout plan that lasts for months? They’re designed to allow you and your loved ones to commit to a fixed schedule so that your body gets used to the workout regime with time, and so that you will be consistent in your exercises. It is completely pointless if you settle for a quick one-hour Pilates session and nothing for the rest of the month, hoping to see an improvement in your quality of life.
For seniors with limited mobility, consider sticking to a fixed plan for a month or so. This can include going for a 30-minute daily stroll/walk around the neighborhood or park, or even getting off the couch is a progress of movement!
Be Aware of Your Limits
Experiencing slight muscle aches is common if you or your loved ones have just begun a new workout. However, if these muscle aches last for more than a week or these aches become pain and discomfort, do check in with your doctor for a quick checkup. Seniors should immediately cease all exercise or movements if they experience any sharp or stabbing pain, especially in their joint areas, and switch to light stretches if need be.
At Seaton Hagerstown, we offer exclusive senior living programs such as Dimensions Health & Wellness that consist of comprehensive and inclusive activities to stimulate residents’ overall health in the retirement community. Seaton Hagerstown adds exercises and workouts within our multi-dimensional approach, alongside helpers and guidance to assist, to create opportunities for residents to stay healthy. Contact us to find out more!
