AGE WELL, AGE ACTIVELY
GET UP, STAND UP, DON’T GIVE UP THE FIGHT!
Remember the phrase “Aging Gracefully”? Nice, right?
Seniors today have moved with the times and look forward to a long and healthy life.
“Aging Actively” is the new vision for senior living.
So how can you be more active and feel better as you age?
Here are a few Ground Rules:
- If you CAN do it, DO it! This part is easy. Walk, stretch, move. Simply put, if you can walk, walk at every opportunity. If you are able to stretch your muscles, give them a stretch every day. If your joints move freely through a wide range of motion, then move your joints every day.
- If you find walking difficult, if you feel pain anywhere in your body, or if you have limited mobility in your joints, speak to your Physiotherapist. An expert can quickly assess the issue and start to help you fix the problem.
- Enjoy being active. The idea of exercise may not be welcomed by everyone, but it really is just a matter of finding what feels good for YOU.
INSIDE, OUTSIDE, ALONE or IN GROUPS movement can happen anywhere.
- INSIDE:
Sit to stands – practice standing up from a chair 10 times in a row. Lean over “nose over toes” and to balance your weight front and back to make it easier.
Squats – strike a pose like a football player, straighten and bend your knees 10 times. Get the arms involved too by swinging them forward and back.
Marching in Place – you don’t need a lot of space to get active and reap the benefits of a little cardiovascular exercise. March with a chair behind you in case you lose your balance.
- OUTSIDE:
Walk to get the groceries or run your errands.
Play ball with the dog – your shoulders (and dog) will love you.
Try Poling – you can use walking poles to help you walk farther, maintain your balance and posture, and get more exercise for your upper body too.
- GROUPS
Join a Walking Club – other people are great for motivation.
Seniors Aqua-exercise down at your local pool – super for supporting joint health
Try a Poling Club that meets regularly for fresh air and an all-over work-out geared to your age group.
But what if all this is just too much? All this sounds great on paper, but… Maybe you just feel too tired, too achy, or just too old! Physio for Seniors could be the place to start.
BARRIERS to “AGING ACTIVELY”
1. POOR POSTURE
Issues with posture can decrease mobility, make you feel vulnerable and cause falls. Many people are completely unaware that they have an issue with posture. If you find yourself struggling with balance in standing, or having difficulties just going for a walk, then a visit to your Physiotherapist is your first port of call.
2. WEAKNESS
Muscle weakness or a muscle imbalance can make the goal of being active seem impossible to reach. Strengthening the right muscle groups with appropriate exercises is the answer. A Rehabilitation Assistant from Physio for Seniors can help you with a treatment plan made for your unique needs, established by a physiotherapist.
3. STIFF, PAINFUL JOINTS
Arthritic type pain is something we automatically associate with aging. In fact, this does not have to be the case. Correcting alignment and increasing range of motion through easy movement every day can alleviate and prevent arthritis pain from progressing. It really is as simple as raising an arm to say “I’m in!”
With self-awareness and a little knowledge you can age gracefully AND actively.
And if you need a little help and support along the way, Physio for Seniors is here. Using tools such as full body assessments, massage and treatment plan programming, you can find the right fit for your body and lifestyle.
At Physio For Seniors, our in-home physiotherapy services help seniors with all their mobility needs whether it is to walk with less pain, improve independence, recover from surgery, falls, hospitalization and any medical conditions affecting balance and mobility.