Physical Activity for Elderly Patients

The benefits of physical activity

Physical activity is good at every age but, in older adults, can decrease mortality, reduce disability, and improve quality of life.

• Healthcare assistants can help older adults establish a routine exercise program.
• Promoting physical activity is important in order to increase independence and improve health in patients.
• A regular exercise routine can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, restore sleep, reduce arthritic disability, improve blood sugar control, keep bones strong, promote mental and cognitive health and maintain or improve heart health.

Aerobic activity

Aerobic activity (also known as cardio) may be obtained by biking, walking, completing household chores, gardening or swimming.

Muscle strengthening

In addition to aerobic activity, older adults should do muscle-strengthening activities. These exercises may include lifting weights or working with resistance bands.

Balance

Patients who have a high risk of falls should add exercises that help maintain or improve balance. Examples of balance exercises include walking backwards or sideways, heel walking, toe walking, standing from a sitting position.

Stretching

Stretching exercises may help older adults maintain the flexibility needed to continue regular physical activity. These exercises may include yoga or Pilates’ types of exercises.

Importance of routine

The healthcare assistants encourage and supervise the patient to safely complete the exercise routine, which can improve a patient’s health condition and reduce utilisation of healthcare services.

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WARM UP

Do your parents/grandparents exercise regularly? If so, what do they do?

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MORE

¹ Did you know that 30 minutes of vacuuming, which burns about 90 calories, can be compared to 15 minutes of kick-boxing? Vacuuming works your arms because of all the pushing and pulling it involves.

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DO

¹ Pilates was a method created in:

• a. 1950s
• b. 1980s
• c. 1920s

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