6 Benefits of Keeping an Active Lifestyle While in Assisted Living
Assisted living communities are essential for many older adults who require ongoing care, but living in one of these retirement communities does not mean you have to forego an active lifestyle. Staying active and getting regular exercise are important for residents of senior living communities, and such activity provides various benefits.
Below, discover just five of the advantages of leading an active life while in assisted living:
1. Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Concerns
Cardiovascular issues, such as strokes and heart attacks, are a serious health concern for older adults, but getting regular exercise is one of the best ways to lower your risk of these crises, as physical activity can address high cholesterol and high blood pressure, two of the major causes of cardiovascular events.
2. Maintains Healthy Weight
Sustaining a healthy weight can be hard for seniors, especially those in assisted living or retirement communities. As such, it is important that you stay active, regardless of where you live, to stay at an optimal weight. Taking a daily walk with others around your senior living community can help you stay on track with your weight and remain healthy.
3. Improves Mental Health
Leading an active lifestyle offers benefits that go beyond physical feelings. Getting regular exercise has been shown to improve overall mental health, especially among older adults in retirement communities. By exercising with friends and family members, you’ll experience a significant boost in endorphins, which keep you in a happy mood.
4. Enhances Bone Strength
As you age, you may struggle with weak bones or an increased risk of bone damage, but staying active and getting regular exercise can help enhance your bone strength and make them less susceptible to fractures.
5. Provides Recreational Activities
A common concern surrounding assisted living is the feeling of boredom derived from having a lack of activities to do. Leading an active lifestyle and getting regular exercise provides an easy way to participate in recreational activities. In fact, many retirement communities offer fitness classes and exercise programs for seniors to join.
6. Reduces Certain Cognitive Concerns
Cognitive concerns, such as the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, are prevalent among residents of assisted living communities. One way to slow the progression of these conditions is by staying active and getting frequent exercise.
Staying Healthy in Assisted Living
When you or a loved one enter assisted living, it is important to stay healthy by means of regular exercise. Some people may feel that it is impossible to stay active in retirement communities, but that is simply not the case. There are many ways to lead an active lifestyle in senior living communities, such as fitness programs and recreational activities.
Leading an active lifestyle provides a variety of benefits to senior adults, including improved mental health, enhanced bone strength, and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.