A Guide to Enhancing Balance, Strength, and Flexibility for Seniors
When a fall occurs at any age it is always associated with some kind of risk, but more so when it happens to a senior. The Government of Canada reports that falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians with 20-30% of seniors experiencing at least one or more fall each year.
Also falls cause 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, 95% of all hip fractures, $2 billion a year in direct healthcare costs, and over one-third of seniors are admitted to long-term care following hospitalization for a fall.
Before initiating any exercise program, it’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as your family doctor or a physical therapist. They can assess your individual health conditions, provide personalized recommendations, and ensure that your chosen exercises are safe and appropriate for your unique needs. Healthy life style, exercise, and medical alarm devices for seniors makes seniors able to live independently.
With that said, you will find 3 categories to explore, balance, strength, and flexibility. Choose the ones you like the most and start creating your routine.
Standing on One Foot
Step 1: Stand near a sturdy surface for support (e.g., a chair or countertop).
Step 2: Lift one foot off the ground, bending at the knee.
Step 3: Hold the position for 10-30 seconds.
Step 4: Repeat on the other leg.
Step 5: Perform this exercise 5-10 times on each leg.
Strength Exercises
Chair Squats
Step 1: Stand in front of a sturdy, armless chair with your feet hip-width apart.
Step 2: Lower your body by bending at the hips and knees while keeping your chest up.
Step 3: Gently tap your buttocks to the chair’s surface.
Step 4: Push through your heels to stand back up.
Step 5: Perform 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions.
Flexibility Exercises
Shoulder and Upper Back Stretch
Step 1: Clasp your hands together in front of you.
Step 2: Extend your arms while gently rounding your upper back.
Step 3: Hold for 15-30 seconds.
Step 4: Release and repeat.
If you’re just starting, perform exercises near a sturdy support, as you gain confidence and strength, challenge yourself by decreasing your reliance on support. By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you can work toward improved balance, strength, and flexibility, reducing your risk of falls and enhancing your overall quality of life.
Gradually progress as you become more comfortable and confident in your abilities. The key is consistency, so make these exercises a regular part of your daily life to enjoy the full benefits they offer.
As we age, it is important to incorporate a healthy and active lifestyle through physical activity and yoga will offer that slow and gentle approach for a safe workout.
Top 5 Workouts For Seniors
Water aerobics: In the past years, water aerobics have become an extremely popular form of exercise among all ages, but in particular to seniors. Doing water aerobics is a fun way for older adults to stay active and fit. It’s also easier on your joints than doing a traditional gym workout and can even relieve nagging arthritis pain. This type of exercise is great to start out with for anyone that finds weight-bearing or joint pain to be the reason for not attempting physical activity in the first place.
Chair yoga: Chair yoga is a gentle practice in which postures are performed while seated and/or with the aid of a chair. Chair yoga classes typically target those with physical disabilities or aging men and women who find a typical yoga session too challenging. Listen, finding an alternative is a part of aging and this is an absolute great alternative for those who cannot perform regular yoga.
Resistance band workouts: Resistance training or strength training is an exercise that enhances muscular strength and endurance. During resistance training, muscles are forced to move against tension provided by body weight, dumbbells, gravity, machines, or resistance bands. Incorporating resistance training into a daily workout routine can greatly improve muscle strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and range of motion. Resistance training also helps fight bone loss and the symptoms of arthritis pain.
Pilates, with all of its variety and modifications, is a fantastic, low impact form of exercise for older adults. Numerous Pilates programs are backed by the medical community, bone-safe, and geared toward the mature adult. Pilates meets the individual where they’re at and builds strength, confidence, and mobility.
Walking: Ahh yes lets not forget the good old faithful of walking. Walking can improve your health and wellbeing, and can help you to live independently for longer. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous; a moderate amount of activity can bring you all the benefits of exercise. You can choose to walk at a steady pace for a longer period of time, or you can have shorter bursts of more strenuous walking, either quickly or up hills or stairs.Talk to your doctor or allied health professional if you have health conditions or haven’t been active for a while. And make sure you have everything you need, especially a comfortable pair of shoes.
In addition to incorporating fall prevention exercises into your routine, there are several additional measures you can take to further reduce the risk of falls and enhance your safety at home.
These practical tips complement your exercise efforts and create a comprehensive fall prevention strategy:
Source: https://seniorprotection.ca/maintaining-balance-for-body-mind
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