The Benefits of Fitness Programs in Independent Living

Sadly, almost 50% of American seniors get zero leisure-time aerobic activity, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Nutrition and physical activity are important for everyone's health. That said, it's a bit more pertinent for seniors.

Being physically active and eating well can help stave off a variety of illnesses, including osteoporosis, type-2 diabetes, heart problems, and certain cancers. Physical activity can also improve bone and joint health, which is integral in avoiding serious injury for seniors.

Today, we're going to discuss more in-depth senior fitness classes benefits. If you're thinking about putting your loved one into assisted living, you need to make sure that they've got solid fitness programs available. Read on and understand the health benefits of senior fitness while they're in independent living.

Boost Joint and Muscular Health

Aerobic exercise boosts joint and muscular health. Having strong joints and muscles becomes more and more important as we age. It improves balance and prevents us from experiencing the types of debilitating falls that affect so many seniors.

Conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis - the degradation of joints and bones, respectively - are rampant among seniors. By engaging in senior living aerobics programs, your loved one can increase their joint, bone, and muscle health and density.

What's great about these aerobics programs is that they're low-impact. Your loved one won't have to worry about injury because the instructors are specially trained to work with seniors. They'll do low-impact strength training and easy range of motion exercises - nothing crazy.

Reduce Risk of Disease

Light strength training and cardiovascular activity can help reduce the risk of disease. As mentioned, seniors are at higher risk of things like heart attack, heart disease, arrhythmia, and high blood pressure.

When seniors fail to get the required exercise, they gain weight inside and out. Fatty substances enter the arteries and increase the chances of the conditions mentioned above.

There's also the risk of developing diabetes, which affects over 16 million American seniors. Over 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year among seniors. Diabetes presents several risks for seniors, including damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart.

Increase in Energy

Very simple exercises can help your loved one increase their energy stores. Fatigue is a major problem among American seniors. It's often the result of underlying conditions, like the ones mentioned above, but not always.

A lack of energy could also be due to things like poor diet, anemia, and untreated chronic pain. You can solve a lot of these problems with activities like Tai Chi, yoga, and walking. All of them improve blood circulation, which in turn boosts energy levels.

Good assisted living communities will offer a wide range of fitness classes for elderly energy improvement. Whether it's a beginner's yoga class or walks around the grounds, your loved one will have every opportunity to increase their energy.

Better Cognitive Function

There's a direct link between physical health, mental health, and overall cognitive function. Cognitive decline is another common issue in our senior population. Over 55 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Whether your loved one is showing signs of cognitive decline or not, physical activity can help. The 3 biggest factors in staving off cognitive decline are physical health, diet, and sleep.

The National Council on Aging states that those who keep their body in good shape are more likely to have good cognitive health. They recommend seniors get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. Doing so can reduce the chances of cognitive decline by 37-60%.

Assisted living communities take this very seriously. Firstly, they offer memory care services to accommodate those with moderate to severe cognitive decline. They also offer dining and activities that promote cognitive health for all residents.

Reduced Stress and Improved Mood

The effects of aging can be very stressful, which may be affecting your loved one's mood. Depression is yet another epidemic in our senior population.

If your loved one is showing signs of stress, anxiety, or depression, they can engage in senior wellness programs. They can burn off that negative energy, induce better sleep, and promote higher self-esteem.

More Community Involvement

Regular participation in assisted living exercise programs will help your loved one get involved in their community. A good social life is one of the biggest benefits of assisted living. At our community, we fill our activity calendar with plenty of physical fitness events that bring residents together.

The benefits of group exercise for seniors are endless. It'll lead to major improvements in mental health. They'll have more confidence around others and develop a greater sense of purpose.

Isolationism is a big problem in senior populations. When your loved one engages in exercise with fellow residents, they'll feel part of something special. With this newfound confidence, they'll be less afraid to try new things and enjoy a happier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

Developing Routine

When your loved one starts exercising, they'll become addicted to the feeling and benefits of it. Over time, they'll start to develop a routine. This will help them continually improve their health, which will boost their longevity.

It can be difficult to drop your loved one off at a senior living facility. If you're worried about their health, it's even worse.

They'll have every opportunity to get involved in exercise programs. Eventually, you'll visit and find them happier and healthier than they've been in years. Not only will this vindicate your decision to try out assisted living, but they'll be happy you did it too.

Experience These Senior Fitness Classes Benefits

These are just some of the senior fitness classes benefits. The importance of exercise for seniors is obvious, but it's hard to develop a routine. That's not the case in assisted living.

At The Oakmont, we're Salt Lake's top independent living community. Our fitness programs are second to none, but that's just part of what we offer.

We place a high degree of importance on our residents' health and happiness. To learn more about our dining facilities, floorplans, and amenities, don't hesitate to book a tour today.