As a person ages remaining physically active is important. This helps them remain strong and healthy. The issue for a number of seniors and their elder care providers is finding an exercise program that is beneficial without aggravating any existing health issues. One exercise that is often recommended for seniors, which offers quite a few benefits, is swimming.
6 Benefits of Swimming for Seniors
1. Easy on the Joints
Higher impact activities such as jumping and running can be hard on the joints and bones and cause injuries and fractures. Since swimming will not put stress on these areas, it is considered one of the best ways for seniors to get and stay in shape while minimizing the potential for injury.
Swimming is usually recommended by therapists and doctors as a method to strengthen the muscles when recovering from an injury. The water’s buoyancy offers a cushion for the movement. Since the human body has about the same density as water, it can help to prevent stress on the joints, with the water acting as a support.
If a senior suffers from osteoarthritis, which is when the cartilage begins to wear down in between the joints, it can cause a significant amount of pain. Swimming will likely be the easiest exercise for the senior to do in these cases.
2. Various Overall Health Benefits
There are quite a few health improvements offered for seniors when they swim on a regular basis.
Some of these benefits include:
- Reduced muscle tension
- Improved cardiovascular system
- Minimized risk of osteoporosis
- Enhanced flexibility
- Improved balance
- Increased muscle tone
- Better posture
3. Increased Appetite
Swimming can also help to increase a senior’s appetite, which can assist in weight control. This activity can also help to reduce stress by allowing the body to relax.
4. Good Cardio Exercise
Swimming increases the heart rate, which helps to provide a quality cardio workout. This will increase the blood flow through the person’s entire body. It will also help to increase a senior’s metabolism and give the senior more energy.
5. Strength Training Benefits
Since it is quite difficult to move against the water, when a senior swim, it will also provide strength training benefits. It will work the muscles harder than doing the exact same movements on land, but it will not feel as challenging. This can help seniors improve their muscle tone, making day to day tasks even easier.
6. Social Interactions
While a senior care provider can offer social companionship for seniors, there are benefits offered by letting a senior interact with others their same age. This is especially beneficial if the senior does not get out of the house very much. This social engagement can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression and get the senior engaged in life once again.
Engaging in physical activity, such as swimming, can be quite beneficial for seniors. It will help them gain muscle tone and even improve their heart health. It is also considered a low impact activity, so there will be minimal damage to their body and joints.
Contact Care Options for Kids for Senior Care Services
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care, please contact the caring staff at Care Options for Kids. Call today at (888) 592-5855.
Source
CDC
