Seniors can gain many physical, mental, and emotional benefits from walking. In addition, as they age, staying active becomes increasingly important. While there are many ways to do this, walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways. Seniors can join walking groups with their peers, exercise at home with walking videos, or walk with senior home care providers to keep them motivated and balanced.
Keep reading to learn how a walking routine can benefit seniors.
How Can Walking Help Seniors?
Beyond being a free and gentle method of physical activity, walking also gives seniors a chance to reset and refocus. Other benefits are detailed below.
Cardiovascular Health: Walking is a low-impact cardiovascular workout that helps improve heart health by improving circulation, lowering blood pressure, and making oxygen flow more efficiently. This can reduce the chance of getting heart disease or a stroke, which are more common as people age.
Weight Control: Regular walking can help seniors control their weight because it burns calories and speeds up their metabolism. Weight management is vital for avoiding health problems like diabetes, joint pain, and complications linked to obesity.
Joint Health: Walking is an excellent workout for seniors because it is easy on the joints. It keeps joints flexible, improves the muscles that support them, and lowers the risk of things like arthritis and joint pain.
Good For Mental Health: Endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, are released during walking. This can help relieve feelings of stress, worry, and depression. Regular walks outside can also expose seniors to natural light and fresh air, which can also help them feel better.
Social Engagement: Walking allows seniors to talk to and connect with others. They can join walking groups, ask friends or family to join them, or even meet new people in the neighborhood. Connecting with other people is essential for their mental and physical health. In addition, having built-in support from senior home care gives them a consistent person to walk with.
Cognitive Benefits: Physical activity, like walking, has been linked to better brain function and a lower chance of brain deterioration. It increases blood flow to the brain, which may help with memory, focus, and the brain’s general health.
Better Sleep: Walking can help regulate sleep patterns and improve sleep quality. Seniors who walk every day often find it easier to fall asleep and sleep better.
Digestive Health: Going for a walk after a meal can help seniors digest and keep their bowel movements regular, making it easy to maintain gut health.
Continued Independence: Seniors can keep their independence and ability to do daily tasks by staying mobile through walking. This helps them have a better quality of life and feel more independent.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Regular walking can help seniors manage and lower their risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and some kinds of cancer, which are more common as they age.
Improved Balance: Balance and steadiness are improved by walking, which is essential for keeping seniors from falling. Also, when they have home care assistance, they’re monitored to ensure their routine is safe.
Seniors can benefit from walking regularly physically, mentally, and emotionally. Also, since it’s an easy form of physical activity, they’re more likely to continue – especially when they gain encouragement from senior home care and loved ones.
Sources: https://www.excellenceinfitness.com/blog/7-benefits-of-walking-every-day-for-older-adults
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Sequoyah Hills TN please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (865) 539-5224
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Knoxville, Old City, Fort Sanders, Old Sevier, Edgewood, North Knoxville, Forest Heights, Sequoyah Hills, Knox County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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