Exercising for seniors is important because it improves their health and reduces any feelings of stress they may be experiencing due to their changing physical condition which brings about an increased dependence on other people. Simple movement will help homebound seniors get the exercise they need without ever leaving home. Of course, before seniors start an exercise regime they should talk to their doctor. Once their doctor approves, there are some simple ways they can stay fit and active though.
Types of Exercise
There are many “easy” types of exercise seniors can enjoy. Exercising for seniors may consist of:
- Stretching and yoga are important as seniors’ daily living activities begin to decrease. In fact, this may be the only type of exercise that some seniors can do.
- Strengthening exercises are important as seniors grow older and engage in a decreased amount of activity. When they do so, their muscle mass decreases, causing them to grow weaker. This isn’t good because we need muscle mass to keep us stable so that we don’t fall. It also helps us feel better and more confident when we engage in social activities.
- Balance exercises is another very important exercise that seniors should engage in. It helps them achieve more mobility so they can remain safe while they’re at home. All it takes is one small fall to result in a serious injury and all this stems from a reduction in balance. Additionally, there are some diseases that will reduce an elderly person’s balance (e.g. osteoporosis), making balance exercises even more important for them.
How Exercise Helps Your Hearing
What is so surprising to many people is that exercising for seniors, cardiovascular fitness in specific, contributes to hearing health. It will help them have improved neural integrity in their cochlea, especially in their outer hair cells. This works by ensuring that these get plenty of oxygen-rich blood. Additionally, exercising for seniors also helps their other organs (e.g. their heart) get all the blood they need too. Another explanation for this may be that heart-healthy people tend to maintain overall better health, which means they experience less damage to their hearing because they won’t be on as many medications since they won’t have as many diseases.
The importance of exercising for seniors is something that’s been proven by numerous studies over the years. While in the past people simply accepted the “inevitable changes” that came with growing older, today’s advances regarding healthy living and medication have challenged these long-held assumptions. This means that hearing loss in seniors is no longer something that’s “expected.”
All of this is very complex and is also challenged by things like genetics and a family history of hearing impairment. Of course, environmental factors also play a serious role here as well. This is what explains much of the hearing loss that about 1 in 4 seniors in America (over the age of 65) experiences today. Nevertheless, there’s good news for the rest of the population: Seniors’ hearing can be maintained well into their older years. For help in this matter, contact Countryside Hearing Aid Services today.
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