Low-Impact Exercises for Seniors

Senior Health  |  December 16, 2020

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Low-Impact Exercises

Low-Impact Exercises | Maintaining our physical health as we age is an important part of overall well-being. Making activity part of our daily routine becomes more vital as we age but can also be more difficult.

Seniors should always discuss their physical activity level and ability with their physician. For most, engaging in 30 minutes of moderate activity each day can have numerous long-term benefits. 

Low-Impact Exercise Benefits

There are a variety of low-impact exercises and activities that can be beneficial for seniors. Low-impact exercise can elevate the heart rate, which in turn has physical health benefits.

While it is typically easier to participate in these less rigorous types of exercise, older adults should always talk to their doctor before starting a new program. 

Eight Low-Impact Exercises for Seniors:

#1 – Walking:

One of the benefits of walking is that, unlike running, it’s easier on the joints. Plus, it doesn’t require any special equipment or a gym membership. With a comfortable pair of tennis shoes and a smooth pathway, someone can start this right away. For the most benefit, keeping a brisk pace for at least 15-20 minutes is important.

#2 – Swimming:

What’s better than minimal stress on the joints? No stress at all. Swimming provides several benefits, including strengthened shoulders and increased lung capacity. Seniors can also take part in water aerobics or walk on underwater treadmills.

#3 – Yoga:

From improving flexibility and coordination to strengthening your core, there’s very little that yoga doesn’t do. Additionally, yoga has been shown to improve mood, focus, and overall mental well-being.

#4 – Pilates:

This exercise allows for very slow and concise movements, designed to improve posture and flexibility. Like yoga, Pilates is known to improve mental well-being.

#5 – Cycling:

With the proper safety measures in place (including a helmet, shin pads, and appropriate configurations), cycling can do wonders for not only the cardiovascular system but also the joints and various muscle groups.

#6 – Weight training:

Weight training can be done at home, with small free weights or even moderately heavy objects that you can grip easily, or at a fitness center. Consistent repetition is key, as is advancing to heavier weights over time.

#7 – Leg Raises:

These can be done at home with no equipment. Simply stand behind a chair, and while holding on to the back of the chair, move one leg to the side and then back. Repeating this, with different variations, can help strengthen lower back and thigh muscles.

#8 – Dancing:

In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of dance class enrollment – and for good reason. The constant movement in dancing classes can help circulation and flexibility. Attending these classes can also provide great opportunities to socialize and connect with others.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with retirement care, 24-hour care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers®’ are trained caregivers who help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office to discuss our unique service offering. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Recently awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada, our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

References:

Department of Health & Human Services. “Facts and Statistics: Physical Activity.” Web. 2017. NIH Senior Health. “Exercise: Benefits of Exercise.” Web. 2017.
Everyday Health. “10 Surprises About Heart-Healthy Exercise” by Beth W. Orenstein. Web. 2014.
American Senior Communities. “The Best Low Impact Exercises for Seniors.” Web. 2017.
AZ Central. “Low Impact Exercises for Seniors” by Kathryn Rateliff Barr. Web. 2017.

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