Exercise makes up a vital part of a senior's health and wellness, but too often it's forgotten in the wake of illness, declining functionality and a lack of overall health. Daily fitness is a way for seniors to preserve their quality of life. If you know a senior who isn't exercising as much as she should, point out the benefits and facilitate avenues so that exercise is safe, beneficial and enjoyable on a daily basis.
Step 1
Identify the benefits of daily exercise and discuss them with the senior. A daily fitness program helps improve everything from daily living activities to cognition and memory in declining years. If she doesn't listen to you, arrange for an appointment with her doctor, to whom she might be more inclined to listen about general health and wellness.
Step 2
Suggest methods of exercise appropriate for the elderly. While the idea of running a 5K might sound incredulous to a senior, a daily walk, water aerobics or yoga are more appropriate for safety and fitness reasons. Suggest low-impact exercise, which is less likely to affect an elderly person's joints and limited mobility, if necessary. Exercise that requires endurance, strength, balance and flexibility help maintain quality of life.
Step 3
Make exercise a social event by finding classes and seminars geared directly toward seniors in the community. While the idea of exercise might not be appealing on its own, an elderly person might be more inclined to try when she learns that she'll be exercising with those her own age and who have similar limitations and setbacks. It's a way to meet people within the community while staying active.
Step 4
Offer your support and cause accountability by offering to exercise with a senior. Seniors should get at least 30 minutes per day, but without the accountability, some might avoid daily fitness. Establish a time where you go for a walk or a swim several times per week to ensure that exercise is part of a daily routine.
Step 5
Help a senior overcome various barriers to exercise. Perceived barriers such as expense, injury and time all persuade seniors away from exercise. By pointing out that exercise is completed safely, for free and in just three 10-minute stints throughout the day, you help a senior overcome the issues that she uses to avoid exercise. By making exercise more accessible, you also make it a more attractive option.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults
- "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation"; Motivating Elders to Initiate and Maintain Exercise; Edward M. Phillips, et al.; July 2004
- Weight-Control Information Network: Young at Heart Tips for Older Adults
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Seniors and Exercise; February 2008
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