As we get older, our bodies still require movement, whether we like it or not. There are plenty of ways exercise and participate in physical activity that will help improve our health and livelihood, especially for seniors. Surprisingly, there are differences between exercise and physical activity. Knowing what those differences are and how each can benefit your health can help people over the age of 60 maximize their potential when it comes to staying active. Physical activity can include things like walking, jogging, biking, hiking, climbing stairs, carrying groceries or gardening. Exercise is considered to be a specifically planned, structured, and repetitive
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Archives for Exercise
Falling Down: Prevention Tips
Trips and falls can lead to serious injuries, hip fractures, and head traumas in older adults – Freedom Home Care wants to help you take steps to prevent them. Each year, one in every three adults ages 65 and older slip and fall in the U.S. According to Physical Therapist Alice Bell, seniors who have fallen once are the most at risk of falling again. There are a number of factors that contribute to falls experienced by seniors, and any kind of fall can be especially dangerous for people with Osteoporosis. Known to many as the silent disease, Osteoporosis causes
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Running is Not Just for the Young
Although it is rare for someone to pick up competitive running in their sixties or later, Freedom Home Care has seen it happen as well as the benefits that come along with it. Even if you are a very athletic person, you may be joining the rest of us average people who start to see a change in our skills and activity level between ages 30 to 40. That is due to the unavoidable decline in muscular strength, endurance, and higher risk of injury. Not to mention, as we get older our injuries tend to keep us out of commission
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It’s Never Too Late for Senior Health Improvements
Even in old age, there’s no reason not to take care of yourself. Whether it’s a walk in the park or choosing fruit instead of dessert, finding simple habits to integrate into your everyday life is the easiest way to stay healthy. With old age, you might see a decline in your physical health even when your mind feels 30! So what are some practical ways to keep your mind—and body—feeling younger? Light strength training is a great way to improve senior health and coordination, and can even be done at home with a chair (and pillow, if needed). There
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Help Fight Aging with Exercise
Freedom Home Care understands that you want to do all you can for yourself and your loved ones when it comes to fighting Alzheimer’s. There are new studies coming out almost every day regarding supportive care and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. However, there is something simple you can incorporate into your daily lifestyle now to keep your mind healthy. Exercise has proven to be a great way to not only keep your body in shape but your brain as well. Regular exercise along with a healthy diet, can maintain an efficient cardiovascular system and therefore allows your brain
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Senior Health: Right Nourishment Equals More Energy!
The days are getting shorter and the air is getting cooler. It suddenly becomes more difficult to start a daily exercise routine. Heavy stews begin to sound more appetizing than light salads. Our bodies begin to naturally slow down for the impending winter. But don’t give up and fall into a routine of laziness just because of the change of season. By nourishing your body, mind, and spirit, you can stay energized even through the coldest of months. Nourish Your Body! Watch your Diet. It’s no surprise that we need to nourish our bodies to remain energized. Eating protein-rich
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Study: When is it Too Late to Begin an Exercise Routine?
A recent study was conducted to answer the question, “When is it too late to benefit from an exercise program?” And what was the answer they found? It’s never too late. This study, lasting three years, targeted seniors aged 70-89 who were inactive and not in the best of health. All participants were enrolled in a moderate weekly aerobics, balance, and stretching program. Their progress was closely followed. What researchers found was that the seniors who participated in the exercise program were 28% less likely to develop a persistent mobility problem compared to inactive seniors. Not only that, but several
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Interview with Susan Smolin: Certified Yoga Instructor on Breathing, Relaxation & Yoga for Seniors
Susan Wolf Smolin is a certified yoga instructor offering therapeutic and rehabilitative instruction to a variety of populations from pre-natal to seniors. Susan has been studying and teaching for over 20 years and she shares her passion for communicating the teachings of ancient tradition and the importance of its presence in modern times. For more informationon Yoga for Seniors contact Susan at peaceyoga@rocketmail.com. We sat down with Susan to learn more about her work, and how it can benefit seniors and help alleviate pain. Can you talk about your professional background, and what led you to become a yoga instructor? I have been active
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Freedom Home Care Offers Sit and Be Fit Classes at the Glenview Senior Center
Freedom Home Care is excited to announce that they are now teaching weekly “Sit and Be Fit” classes at the Glenview Senior Center, located at 2400 Chestnut Ave in Glenview, IL. Freedom Home Care welcomes all to join this fun and energetic, yet easy-to-do class where all activities and movements are done sitting down. The Sit and be Fit program is geared at muscle toning, and is also designed to improve mobility, decrease pain and help control blood pressure. Steven Box, Senior Wellness Center Coordinator at Freedom Home Care and instructor of the Sit and be Fit class explains, “The real premise
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5 Reasons Every Senior Should Swim
One of the greatest things about summer is that it opens more opportunities to get outside and stay fit. From walking to tennis to biking, summer is the season to get on the move. Not surprisingly, one of the best ways to get exercise in the warm months is by swimming. This is particularly a great exercise for seniors because it isn’t hard on your body like other workouts. Here are five of the top reasons why you should find a way to get in the pool today and start swimming: 1. Gentle on your joints. Although swimming is a
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