Nursing homes provide a valuable service to senior members of the community who who can no longer take care of themselves. Most of these homes provide opportunities for residents to remain social through activities and programs put in place by residential activities coordinators. Many homes take these activities a step further and include exercise programs to help residents stay physically fit and healthy.
Function
Exercise program availability can vary depending on the facility. For example, for retirement facilities with a swimming pool, water aerobics are a popular choice for elderly fitness programs. Other facilities may provide exercise classes specifically geared toward the elderly that can even be done while sitting, even from a wheelchair. Some facilities may have gyms with equipment ranging from treadmills for walking to strength-training machines.
Age Appropriate
When you are developing a fitness program for elderly residents of a retirement facility like a nursing home, it's important to keep in mind equipment and programs that fit the unique concerns of the elderly. For example, when designing a fitness equipment room, machines like recumbent stationary bicycles and ellipticals can be good options to reduce the stress on knees and ankles. Water aerobics provide the same type of benefit by using the natural buoyancy of the water not only as resistance to strengthen muscles but also to reduce how much weight and stress is placed on the joints.
Benefits
As the body ages, muscle tissue and bone naturally break down, which is what makes those who are elderly often more fragile and more likely to be injured than those who are younger. However, regular strength-training exercises as well as aerobic exercises can help strengthen muscles while strengthening the bones at the same time. Exercise for those over the age of 65 can also help stave off age-related diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes, suggests the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Recommended Amount
To get the full benefits of exercise in your nursing or retirement facility, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends introducing two and a half hours of aerobic exercise into the weekly routine of those who are over the age of 65. The CDC also recommends at least two days a week of strength-training activities within that time period.
Possible Dangers
When choosing to develop or take part in an exercise program within a nursing home, you should consider possible dangers. First, it is important to understand that the elderly are more fragile, so they may be more likely to pull a muscle or even break a bone during a slip or fall while exercising. The overall health of the individual exercising should be taken seriously, as exercise can be beneficial for problems like high blood pressure and heart disease but can also cause problems if elderly people overexert themselves. It is important to have the medical staff or personal physician of the nursing home residents involved in the exercise program to ensure health and safety.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Activity Guidelines
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Promoting and Prescribing Exercise for the Elderly
- American Heart Association: Exercise (Physical Activity) for Older People and Those With Disabilities
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Exercise and Seniors
