Share This Story!

Why Physical Activity Is Important

Senior citizens should not let mobility issues get in the way of physical activity. As people age, people start to lose muscle mass, agility, bone density, and endurance. Furthermore, many senior citizens suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis. Not only do these physical conditions impact a senior citizen’s body, health conditions also affect the senior’s mental health. Therefore, seniors need to engage in activities to keep the mind sharp. Even if the senior suffers from limited mobility, the senior can still participate in different activities. Here are a few.

1. Reading

Reading is one of the best activities for seniors with mobility issues. Reading improves brain function and can help alleviate symptoms of depression. Seniors can also join book clubs to mix and mingle with like-minded people which expands the person’s social circle. Mentally, reading allows the reader to transport to a different world to explore new cultures and perspectives. To get some books, visit the local library or an online store like Amazon. Seniors can download apps to mobile devices. Reading apps allows users to download millions of books.

2. Make a scrapbook

Hobbies that allow seniors to get creative like scrapbooking are great sources of relief. Visit a craft store and stock up on supplies like markers, yarn, construction paper, etc. Then, come up with different concepts for the book like family vacations or childhood photos. Scrapbooking is a great way to connect with family members and re-visit pleasant memories.

3. Do charity work

Mobility issues shouldn’t prevent a senior from helping others. Charity work is a great way to get active in the community, make a difference, and feel better about yourself. If the senior is part of a church or social club, there should be ample opportunities to give back. Most religious organizations host various charity events throughout the year. The senior can join the planning committee and help organize the event.

4. Play some games

Board games, crossword puzzles, and other games are good alternatives for physical activity. Games keep the mind sharp by forcing players to think and strategize. Seniors can head to a local store and pick the classics like Monopoly or download some games to a cellular device.

5. Watch Movies

People associate watching movies with relaxation, leisure, popcorn, and a good time. There are also hundreds of movie genres out there like horror, science fiction, etc. Try to designate some time each week to watch a movie and look for local movie festivals or events to visit.

Going forward

Dealing with mobility issues can be tough especially for people that are used to moving around. However, these activities can help people feel active even if the person is sitting in place. Discuss mobility issues with a healthcare provider before engaging in any new activity.

Join our newsletter

Volutpat vel turpis nulla lorem sed semper. Aliquam sagittis sem libero viverra vehicula nullam ut nisl.

Share This Story!

What Does COPD Do To The Body?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the lung’s airways, making breathing difficult. COPD leads to two other conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis restricts the airways and causes excess mucus buildup. Emphysema is a disease that destroys the lung’s air sacs. People with COPD often have to deal with complications from either one of these diseases.

The importance of exercise

Activity is vital for people with COPD because a lack of physical activity can affect a person’s health and overall quality of life. COPD symptoms can even become worse. To start, COPD patients should enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a program with a team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, dietitians, physical therapists, and exercise specialists. These professionals help people with COPD learn special breathing techniques and exercises, and develop treatment plans to make life with COPD easier. Pulmonary rehabilitation begins with an assessment from a therapist to determine different things about the patient, like blood oxygen levels. Programs are conducted at hospitals, outpatient clinics, or the patient’s home.

Stretching for people with COPD

People with COPD will benefit from lots of stretching. Stretching helps with breath control and body flexibility. Patients should start stretching for at least 10-15 minutes every day. Experts also believe that stretching before and after exercise is good for the body. Stretching is something that can be done anywhere at any time of day. Try some stretching exercises to prepare for more intense activities.

Aerobic exercises

Aerobic exercises are great for people with COPD because these activities increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. Cardiovascular exercise also strengthens the heart muscle. Walking is an excellent form of aerobic exercise. Patients can do this for 15-20 minutes a day to get the blood flowing. Another great exercise is cycling. Patients can use a stationary bike or a regular bike. Swimming can also be beneficial. If an outdoor pool isn’t an option, patients can go to a local sports club and use those pool facilities. A good fitness regimen for those with COPD will incorporate aerobic exercises a few times a week.

Try some resistance training

Essentially, resistance training is weight lifting. However, people do not need to start with a heavy load. Lightweight dumbbells or exercise bands work just as well. Resistance training can be done multiple times throughout the week.

Taking the next step

Anyone interested in pulmonary rehabilitation, exercises, or more information about COPD should consult a doctor, physical therapist, or a respiratory therapist. These healthcare professionals are a wealth of knowledge and resources for leading a healthy life with COPD.