Staying active in an assisted living setting is vital for maintaining health and mental acuity. Not only that, it can also help boost your confidence and help you forge social connections.
Here are some recommended activities for seniors who want to stay active in their assisted living facility. Before beginning any exercise routine, it is advised to speak with your physician to understand what is best for your current health and physical condition.
1. Walking or swimming
Aerobic exercises build your endurance, lung capacity, heart rate, and circulation. Some good examples of simple aerobic exercises for you to do while in assisted living are walking and swimming (if your community has a pool). If you have arthritis, swimming for exercise is especially recommended, as it does not put any pressure on your joints. These are also great activities to do with your friends and family!
2. Strength training
Basic strength training includes lifting light weights, using resistance bands, wall and chair exercises (e.g. leg rises, chair dips), and body weight exercises (e.g. push-ups, squats, lunges). Combining strength training with other exercises, especially balance, can help to avoid falls, which are more common in seniors. Strengthening your muscles can help you with everyday tasks, as well as keep you healthy. You can either follow a workout video or develop your own workout routine based on your comfort and mobility level.
3. Balance and flexibility
Balance is an essential part of any exercise routine, as it will help you to avoid falls. Examples of balance training include Pilates, yoga, and tai chi. If you are unable to stand for long periods of time, chair yoga is a mobility-friendly option that can still help you build your balance. Pilates in particular has grown in popularity among seniors, as it is low-impact and boosts balance and strength. If your assisted living community offers group classes, you can forge more social connections with your fellow residents!
4. Cardio classes
In addition to balance and flexibility classes, other low-impact exercise classes like dance and light cardio are an excellent way to stay in shape. There is also the added benefit of having a trained exercise professional there to help you use the proper form.
5. Outdoor activities
Exposure to nature has been shown to elevate mood and help lower stress levels. Combining that with some exercise like walking or gardening would be very beneficial for your overall health.
Spending time outside and being active with family and friends is not only great for your physical health, but it will also help to boost your emotional well-being. Though it may be harder to get out and about if you have limited mobility, communicate with the staff of your assisted living facility about your options and see if anyone is available to help with transportation.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to staying active, so make sure to follow the exercise methods that work best for you. Having an exercise routine that aligns with your personal goals and interests will help you to stick to it and increase its overall effectiveness.
Find the right senior living community to support your loved one's health. Contact Welcome Home Senior Services & Placement Co. today to speak with a senior placement specialist, who can connect you with any of the hundreds of the Florida communities we represent.