Flexibility is an important part of being physically fit for people of all ages, but it is especially important for older people. As people get older, their bodies undergo changes that make them less flexible and mobile. But seniors can improve their general health and well-being in a number of ways by working on their flexibility. Loved ones and in-home care services can help seniors improve their flexibility and increase their ability to live independently and continue enjoying their normal routines.
Keep reading to understand how flexibility helps seniors.
How Can Seniors Benefit From Improved Flexibility?
Flexibility workouts help seniors keep and improve their range of motion, which makes it easier for them to move around. By making joints and muscles more flexible, seniors are better able to move around. Falls and accidents are also less likely to happen when their range of motion is better.
Flexibility also directly affects their physical performance, making it easier and more effective for them to remain active. This is key since seniors should strive for 30 minutes a day of physical activity. Whether they walk, garden, or play with their grandkids, their posture, balance, and coordination will improve with increased flexibility.
Flexibility also helps with the following:
Reduced Joint and Muscle Stiffness: Aging often leads to stiff joints and tight muscles, which can be painful and make it hard to move around. These effects might be decreased by doing flexibility movements that stretch and lengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Pain management: Conditions like arthritis and long-term pain are typical in seniors. When you do flexibility exercises, the pain, and stiffness that come with these conditions may go away. Stretching helps the blood flow, stops muscle spasms, and produces endorphins, which are hormones that naturally relieve pain. In-home care aids can help seniors monitor their pain management and work toward a consistent physical activity routine.
Better Posture and Balance: As seniors age, their posture and balance become more important. Flexibility exercises help keep the spine in the right place and strengthen the core muscles, which are important for keeping balance and stability.
Better mental health: Being flexible has benefits that go beyond the physical world. Doing flexibility exercises on a daily basis helps seniors relax and lowers their stress and anxiety. Mindful practices like yoga and tai chi, which mix physical movement with meditation and deep breathing, are great for flexibility.
Daily exercise is a great way for seniors to keep their flexibility. It improves the range of motion, boosts physical performance, reduces stiffness in joints and muscles, eases pain, and more. With support from in-home care and loved ones, seniors can have a better quality of life when they focus on their flexibility. Seniors will need to be careful when working on flexibility exercises so they don’t overstretch. This is another way in-home care can help by ensuring they use the correct form and take a breather between routines. Before seniors engage in a consistent physical fitness routine, they should talk with their doctor to get the okay.
Source: https://www.uniquehealthandfitness.com/why-flexibility-is-so-significant-as-we-age
https://www.lifespanfitness.com/blogs/news/health-benefits-of-stretching-for-older-adults
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3503322/