Exercise is crucial for aging adults who want to remain strong and healthy. However, some seniors receiving Waterloo elder care have limitations preventing them from performing basic exercises like jogging or weightlifting. If your elderly loved one has concerns such as these, swimming may be the perfect way for him or her to stay active. Here are just some of the benefits your loved one can gain from swimming.
Joint Relief
High-impact exercises like jogging, lifting, and cycling can be painful and even impossible for seniors with conditions like osteoarthritis. However, swimming can strengthen and build muscle without putting pressure on your loved one’s joints. This is because the human body has a similar density to water, which means swimming can give your loved one the support he or she needs for joint relief.
Reduced Fall Risk
According to a 1992 study published in the American Journal of Public Health, one out of three senior citizens falls each year. This can lead to hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and many other serious injuries. Swimming can help increase your loved one’s balance and motor coordination to reduce his or her risk of falling, and the exercise itself has a minimal fall risk because of the support the water offers.
Increased Cardiovascular Function
A brisk swim can make the heart pump faster and work harder. For seniors who can’t partake in traditional aerobic exercise, swimming is a great way to increase cardiovascular function and get the blood flowing. As an added bonus, any kind of strenuous activity burns calories and boosts metabolism, which means your loved one can enjoy increased energy, a larger appetite, and a general feeling of vigor all from the act of swimming.
Opportunities for Socialization
If your loved one is at risk for loneliness or isolation, enrolling him or her in a community swimming class can help get him or her out of the house and around other people. Many facilities even have water activity classes aimed specifically at people aged 60 and over. Whether it’s aquatic yoga or a basic swim course for beginners, your loved one can socialize with other seniors and boost his or her emotional wellbeing.
Depending on your loved one’s level of mobility, he or she may need assistance with swimming or other exercises. Home Care Assistance can help. Our part-time and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with regular physical activity, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke care Waterloo families trust. For more information on our in-home care services, call one of our qualified Care Managers at (519) 954-2111 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.