It is common knowledge that exercise is important for all of us to have a healthy body and mind. However, with age, we can not maintain the same exercise regimen that we once did when we were younger. There are certain easy exercises for the elderly helping them to improve their body flexibility, balance, coordination.
A sedentary lifestyle encourages the loss of bone mass and since a long time, the medical fraternity is recommending us that we can prevent bone loss through a calcium-rich diet and some regular activity, including weight-bearing exercises. Those people with existing osteoporosis can also benefit from mild exercises because exercising regularly not only reduce the rate of bone loss, it reduces the risk of fractures and also preserves the remaining bone tissue. But overly vigorous exercise in the elderly can actually counteract their goals.
Any exercise program for the elderly should be undertaken with a doctor or physical therapist of advice and guidance and should be initiated slowly. People who have suffered a stroke often are coping with limited mobility, balance challenges, and having to re-learn everyday movements. They often rarely heavily on their vision to maintain balance. Such patients can benefit by performing certain balance exercises with eyes closed or in darkness, or use a moving focal point during which they can engage inner ear and limbs. It is possible to create different balance challenges for them by altering the inputs to one of their senses.
Problems of mobility in seniors can be dealt with some chair exercises. An advantage of such exercises is that they can be performed while being seated while at home in your favorite armchair. Getting into and out of the separated position can be a challenge for seniors as it requires strength and balance without the use of hands. Such chair exercises are recommended for seniors whose mobility is good.
Finally, it does make sense to allow the elderly to stay in safe surroundings as most fall injuries are caused by falls on the same level, rather than falls down the stairs. We can start by improving lighting throughout the home or their living quarters. To make living areas safer for them we need to remove any tripping hazards like clutter in walkways and throw-rugs and try to install non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.Grab bars and handrails can be installed where necessary like in the toilets, showers, tubs, stairways and so on to avoid sudden falls. After all, prevention is better than cure!
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