COVID-19 can cause seniors to feel unmotivated, but now it’s more important than ever to keep up with exercise. Senior’s moving their body can help with boosting their immune system to ward off COVID-19. If social distancing is a worry then these workouts can help.
Healthy Senior Workouts During COVID-19
Here are five ways seniors can stay active while following social distancing guidelines:
Walking
If the weather is pleasant and crowds can be avoided, a walk around the neighborhood can provide enough exercise to reduce restlessness and provide mood-and immune-enhancing benefits. If your loved one has to remain indoors, walking around the house or marching in place can increase their step count.
Flow Movement
Yoga, pilates, tai chi and stretching will help seniors stay fit at home – while improving balance, endurance, core strength, and mobility. You can find a lot of instructional videos online, which are made for older adults. Another choice is joining a virtual class, which is sponsored by an exercise studio or senior center.
Train for Strength
Strength training is important and it doesn’t necessarily require lifting heavy weights at the gym. Many strength-training exercises may be performed for the elderly while sitting or lying at home. Seniors can start with their own body weight and a few basic exercises. You can use daily household products like soup cans to add weight to workouts if needed.
Groovy Moves
With age the body loses muscle mass, flexibility and balance – raising the risk of falling during daily activities. Dancing can help fight this decline in agility and balance. Evidence has shown that dancing improves strength and muscle function in older adults, and increases balance and endurance, leading to greater coordination and less injury.
Yard Work
Gardening is a low-impact physical activity that gives us moderate aerobic exercise and increases serotonin and dopamine production — the happy hormones — in our bodies. This also helps to reduce the body’s level of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. While we should be careful about how much sun exposure we get as we age and have more delicate skin, it ‘s important to get enough vitamin D daily time in the sun. In addition to being a healthy mood regulator, vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, bone health and the immune system.
Senior Safety During Social Distancing
Here are a few other safety tips to remember:
- Reduce the risk of falls in the elderly by exercising on flat surfaces that are free of tripping hazards while wearing proper footwear.
- Don’t overdo it, ramping up a fitness routine too quickly can lead to injury. Remind seniors to start with beginner-level exercises and take it slow and steady.
- Older adults can become dehydrated quickly, so seniors need to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
- Older adults should let someone know when they are exercising, especially if they are leaving the house or will be by themselves — not just for accountability, but to protect them in case of a fall or another injury.
In addition to finding innovative ways to connect during social distancing, it’s just as important that seniors remain involved in preserving their well-being. Seniors can stay healthy and safe during the Coronavirus pandemic with a little imagination and motivation, whilst getting the exercise and activities they need.
Entrust of DeSoto: A Resident-centric Memory Care Community in Dallas, Texas
Entrust of DeSoto is a memory care community that puts resident well-being at the center of everything we do. We know that each person is unique. That’s why we offer a wide range of services and lifestyle options to nourish the body and create community.
We understand the importance of home cooked meals and nutrition for seniors and this attitude is reflected in our dining experience. If you or a loved one live near Dallas, Texas and need assisted living, contact Entrust of DeSoto today to learn about our 24-hour care and find out how we can help.
