On May 31st more than 100,000 seniors will become part of one of the nation’s largest annual health promotion events for the elderly – National Senior Health & Fitness Day. With a goal of encouraging seniors to stay health and in shape, older loved ones all over the country will be descending upon more than 1,000 locations in celebration of the 24th annual senior fitness event. A public-private partnership coordinated by the Mature Market Resource Center, National Senior Health & Fitness Day, is hosted by local organizations advocating the health and fitness of older adults. By purchasing a registration packet, any group
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Archives for Exercise
How The GYROTONIC® Method Helps Seniors
What is it called when you combine a treadmill, stair climber, rowing machine, Yoga and Pilates in one system of exercises: the GYROTONIC® Method. Developed in the early 80’s, the Gyrotonic method was created from the love of movement. Swimmer, dancer and gymnast, Juliu Horvath developed the Gyrotonic method by building on the principles of Yoga. He created a system of exercises that help practitioners move beyond the limitations in their bodies in order to increase movement, build strength and enhance agility. Initially designed as a way to help rehabilitate students suffering from injuries, Horvath’s new movement system was called “Yoga for Dancers.” As
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Exercise Offers Tremendous Benefits for Seniors
As we get older, we tend to take more stock of the things that benefit us our lives the most – like the relationships we’ve built, the memories we’ve created, and the personal experiences we’ve been afforded along the way. Exercise, believe it not, is one of those things that should be recognized for its numerous benefits at all stages of life. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about the advantages that exercise offers seniors. Many older adults believe it’s too late – at their age – to start an exercise routine. But nothing could be further from the
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Exercises That Help Improve Arthritis in Seniors
It’s a little known fact that exercise can actually help improve the lives of people who suffer from arthritis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention aerobic activity can help lessen the effects of joint pain and stiffness, while improving flexibility, mobility, mood, general health and well-being. As more and more Americans over the age of 65 are diagnosed with the condition, FHC, a Chicago Home Care Service, created a list below to help raise the awareness about the benefits of exercise in arthritic patients. For many with the condition it’s difficult to even imagine swimming and biking with joint pain
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Yoga Benefits for Seniors
Alternative therapy is important, especially for seniors; however, when most seniors think of Yoga, “oiling the joints” is probably one of the last things that comes to mind. But that’s how 91-year-old Bernice Bates describes an ancient Indian tradition that has been around since at least the Stone Ages. Since the beginning, Yoga has been utilized to help improve the human condition, while incorporating a meditative and spiritual core – principles that still remain intact today. There are numerous benefits to practicing Yoga, like healing aches and pains, increasing blood flow, boosting immunity, and improving overall health. Bates has been
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Spring Activities for Seniors
Help Get Seniors Active This Spring Cold weather temperatures have kept many seniors confined to their apartments or homes this winter. We all know how important it is for older loved ones to take the proper precautions when traveling, especially when the potential for slips and falls is the greatest on icy sidewalks and roads. But now that spring has sprung and warmer temperatures abound, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine that comes along with more favorable outdoor conditions even if you are already taking advantage of alternative therapy options. Here are a
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Mind Games
Workout Your Cranium It is inevitable to stop the aging process and with aging comes memory loss. More and more of forgetful moments begin to occur and it can be alarming. However, there may be options when it comes to delaying this process and keeping the brain young. “A 60 year-old brain is two to three times slower than a 20 year-old brain,” according to an article on memory loss by Web-MD. They also added that by the time you reach the age of 80, your brain may function five to eight times slower. We are not saying that memory
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Exercises Beneficial To Relieving Arthritis Symptoms
There are a number of ways that a tailored exercise program can help relieve the pain and fatigue of arthritis and preserve joint structure and function, in the process. Incidentally, the term arthritis describes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and related conditions that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints and connective tissues. Freedom Home Care has found that over 50 million adults suffer from some form of the disease, with the most common type being osteoarthritis. Treatment usually involves medication to help alleviate pain and discomfort, which may be a simpler alternative when dealing with the symptoms of arthritis.
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Ways to Stay Active in the Winter
It may seem like a challenge to find fun, indoor activities during the winter months. But doing a little research, Freedom Home Care found a number of ways seniors can stay busy and active inside when the temperatures begin to fall outside. Get Creative Some of the best creativity happens when the there’s nothing standing in the way between you and your craft. It doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money to indulge in the arts. Pick up a few artsy materials from the local craft store, invite a few friends over, and start a small arts
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Freedom Home Care Sponsors Fitness Classes for Seniors
We at Freedom Home Care enjoy being regularly involved in our community, and one way we do so is by sponsoring some fun and exciting senior fitness classes, such as… Sit and Be Fit: One of the most popular classes offered to residents, this class provides residents with a combination of strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination based exercises. Part of the class is done seated, while the other half of class is done standing. However, for those who are unable to stand for the exercises, modifications are given. Chair Yoga: Very light class offered to residents interested in learning basic yoga while also improving their flexibility. The instructor takes the class through meditation techniques, breathing strategies, and seated yoga routines. This class is meant to leave the participants feeling calm and relaxed.
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