As we age, the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health becomes increasingly evident. The journey of getting older comes with unique challenges, from changes in our bodies to changes in our emotional landscape. In this blog, we will explore the significant benefits of exercise for older adults and offer advice on how you can stay healthy and vibrant, whether in the comfort of your own home or in Residential Aged Care.
Benefits of exercise as you age
Regular exercise is essential for healthy ageing. Staying active offers several benefits that can positively impact your physical and mental well-being to offset the decrease in muscle mass to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Incorporating an exercise routine into your daily life can help offset these age-related challenges and improve your overall quality of life.
Some key advantages of exercise include:
1. Maintaining motor functions
Older adults are often at a higher risk of falls, leading to potential safety concerns and challenges with staying independent. Moderate exercise can help improve your strength and flexibility, ensuring that you continue to have full control over your motor functions and mobility.
2. Mental health Improvements
Exercise and other forms of physical activity have been proven to release endorphins, a chemical in the body that leads to positive emotions. Regular exercise can produce these hormones more often, helping to manage your mood. Performing physical activity has also been linked with a lower risk of dementia-related conditions, keeping the brain healthy due to improved oxygen and blood flow.
3. Reducing the risk of disease
As we age, our risk of developing cardiovascular-related health conditions increases. By strengthening our body with exercise, we can improve heart circulation and maintain a healthy weight. This can help prevent common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Keeping healthy at home
At Catholic Healthcare, we understand that many older adults prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes to maintain independence. Thankfully, that’s where Home Care Services comes in. However, it is also important to ensure that you stay healthy while receiving this support. By managing your well-being with these care services, you can maintain your current lifestyle and routines for as long as possible. Here are some key strategies to make the most of home care services:
1. Health and medication management
Make sure to schedule regular health checkups to monitor your health and take medications exactly as directed. Depending on your care needs, a registered nurse can also help you keep your medication schedule on track and provide regular support to ensure that your well-being is maintained.
2. Stay connected
Staying socially connected is important for providing older adults with a more fulfilling life and helping them avoid feelings of loneliness or isolation. Maintaining and building relationships with others is essential for one’s emotional well-being as we age. There are a variety of social support services that you can also access, such as transportation to social commitments and companionship services to ensure that you stay connected with your community.
3. Staying active
Incorporating light-to-moderate physical activity within your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to maintain your mobility and muscle strength. Some activities that you can perform while at home include walking, light jogging, and seated exercises.
Exploring leisure and lifestyle activities
As an older adult, exploring leisure and lifestyle activities in aged care can contribute to your overall well-being. Catholic Healthcare offers our clients a diverse range of activities through our Mind+Move program offered at hubs across NSW. Whether you are looking to continue your learning journey, want to stay connected with the community or want to keep your body active, our aim is to make you the best version of yourself, plus more. Some of our popular face-to-face activities include:
- Aqua fitness
- Walking groups
- Tai Chi
- Dance classes.
We also offer online classes for activities such as yoga, Pilates, meditation and more. If you are interested in joining our Mind+Move program, you can also take part in a free trial. For more information, call us now, and our local hub coordinator will reach out shortly.