Best Low-Impact Exercises for Senior Citizens
Are you looking for exercises that will be safe for your elderly loved one? Depending on the state of their physical health, there may be some exercises they just can’t do. However, most senior citizens can do low-impact exercises such as the ones that are noted down below. If you have questions about whether these exercises are alright for your elderly loved one, you or a 24-hour home care provider can take them to the doctor to find out.
Fun, Effective Water Aerobics
One of the types of low-impact exercises that is great for senior citizens is water aerobics. These exercises are fun and effective. There are many places where these exercises can be done. You or a 24-hour home care provider might be able to take your elderly loved one to the pool at a local community center or senior center. Some of the benefits of this type of exercise include:
- Easing joint and back pain
- Boosting muscle mass
- Improving balanced
- Reducing risk of falls
If you are not sure whether this would be a good activity for your elderly loved one, possibly because they don’t like to swim, there are many other low-impact exercises that would be beneficial for them, as well.
Dance it Out
Did you know there are numerous health benefits to dancing? Just like swimming, it is fun, too. There are often senior citizen dance programs. A 24-hour home care provider can also find dance exercise programs or videos online for your elderly loved one, if they want to dance at home. Some of the many benefits of dancing include:
- Improving balance
- Lower risk of falling
- Having fun
- Boosting energy
- Reducing pain and tension in the body
- Reducing mental health issues
If your elderly loved one needs these benefits, talk to them about starting a dance program as soon as possible.
Getting on Bike
Another low-impact exercise for the elderly is bicycling. If this is something you think your elderly loved one could do or wants to do, you can get them a bike if they don’t have one. If the weather doesn’t allow for a bike, you could even get them an indoor exercise bike. Some benefits of this exercise are:
- Less pain in the joints
- Improves cardiovascular system
- Improves balances
- Lessens muscle pain and other types of pain
- Boosts energy
- Improves muscle strength
Now that you know the benefits of this type of exercise, it may be a good idea to get your elderly loved one started with cycling very soon.
Conclusion
If you are looking for low-impact exercises for senior citizens, you can start with the options here today. You or a senior care provider may even want to talk to your elderly loved one about which ones they prefer over others. Then, you can make a workout plan together.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-older-adults-can-get-started-exercise