Physical activities promote optimal health and well-being—in fact, exercise is associated with longevity. Seniors improve their health when they pursue enjoyable leisure activities, such as swimming, golf, or walking. Incorporate leisure activities into a regular schedule to potentially increase longevity.

Link Between Exercise and Longevity

The link between exercise and longevity has been recently discovered. While most seniors know that staying physically active helps them maintain a healthy weight and strengthens their heart, it is now clear that exercise causes bodily cells to become biologically younger.

During recent studies of DNA, researchers examined participants’ telomeres, which are parts of chromosomes that shorten with age. Research participants who exercised displayed longer telomeres than sedentary participants. The biological age of the physically active was about nine years younger.

Another study of seniors revealed that men and women do not necessarily become frailer and weaker with age. Active people in their 70s showed the heart, lung, and muscle fitness of individuals 30 years younger. The muscles of older exercisers were difficult to distinguish from those of younger people.

Since engaging in physical activities on a daily basis can slow the aging process on a cellular level, it potentially adds years to a senior’s life. Even as little as 15 minutes of exercise per day can increase an aging person’s lifespan by three years.

Exercise is so vital to health and longevity that not participating in some form of leisure activity increases the senior’s risk for premature death even more so than heart disease, smoking, and diabetes. Staying active, on the other hand, gives older adults several physical and cognitive benefits.

How do leisure activities boost health and longevity?

Seniors who participate in physical activities on a regular basis decrease the risk of chronic diseases. Active older adults tend to experience better immune and digestive functioning, blood pressure, and bone density. The risks for heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers are reduced.

Older people who exercise are able to maintain a desirable weight, despite the metabolism naturally slowing down due to age. Regularly exercising increases seniors’ metabolism and builds muscle mass, thereby helping their bodies burn calories. Active seniors reduce their risk for developing obesity.

The risk for falls increases with age, and the injuries that result from falls can be fatal. Seniors who stay physically active, however, experience improved strength, flexibility, and posture, all of which support balance and coordination. This combination reduces seniors’ risks for falls.

Exercise also contributes to improved cognitive functioning. Participating in regular physical activities benefits the brain, aiding in brain functions, such as multitasking. Dementia, memory loss, and cognitive decline can be circumvented to an extent by participating in daily leisure activities.

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More exercise means more independence for seniors:  Seniors that exercise regularly are less likely to depend on others. According to Harvard Medical School, regular exercise promotes an older adults ability to walk, bathe, cook, eat, dress, and use the restroom. If self-reliance is a priority, exercise is one of the best ways to maintain independence for older adults.

Exercise improves balance for older adults: Falling down is a much bigger deal for older adults than younger ones. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is admitted to an emergency room for a fall-related injury, and every 19 minutes, a senior dies from a fall, according to the National Council of Aging. Though no two falls are alike, and preventing falls is very complex, regular exercise reduces the likelihood of falling by 23%.

Staying active on a regular basis is also known to slow the progression of brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Older people who exercise reduce their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease in the first place.

Interested in activities in the Palm Beach County area? Read our about Things to Do for Seniors in Palm Beach County, FL

How can seniors incorporate leisure activities into their day?

While some older adults have been exercising for decades, the benefits of being active is not strictly reserved for those who start early. Even seniors who begin an exercise routine in their 80s and 90s experience health benefits and increased longevity.

The biggest boost to longevity has been shown to come from participating in group activities. When possible, seniors should play a team sport rather than exercise solo. Aging people might consider playing tennis, badminton, or dancing with friends to add years to their life expectancy.  Older seniors might join a club or community center that offers exercises created with their needs in mind, such as water aerobics, chair yoga, body weight workouts, or tai-chi.

Pursuing a leisure activity with others encourages social interactions, which are natural remedies for stress. Plus, staying social itself is linked with longevity. Seniors who enjoy tennis, pickleball, or other sports are more likely to continue the activity—which further promotes their health and longevity.

Sedentary seniors benefit from participating in leisure activities, too. The key is to start small and gradually build up endurance. A two-minute walk can increase the senior’s heart rate and make a difference in health. Take the stairs, park farther from the store, or stroll around the block after dinner.

Ideally, aging people should work their way up to 450 minutes of physical activity per week to experience the greatest benefits of exercise and increase their life expectancy. This recommended amount is equivalent to approximately one hour of exercise per day—a manageable goal.

Professional Caregivers Support Leisure Activities for Seniors

Seniors who are unsteady on their feet or who are unconfident about walking or participating in any other form of leisure activity can find support from a professional caregiver. These individuals remind and encourage their clients to exercise regularly and help stabilize care recipients as they walk, promoting confidence and ensuring they do not fall.

Caregivers can support seniors as they walk around the block or mall. They provide transportation to parks or older adult exercise classes. Caregivers can also assist the client to prepare and help implement a daily physical activity schedule so that seniors receive the exercise they need to lengthen their life expectancy.

When your elderly loved one aims to improve an existing exercise regimen or start a new one, she may need support. Companion caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care are prepared to give the senior the dependable help she needs to stay active on a daily basis.

Our companion care services include physical support when walking and transportation to doctors’ offices, senior centers, or exercise facilities. We also shop for fresh groceries and prepare nutritious meals to ensure care recipients eat balanced meals and hydrate. Before starting an exercise or weight loss regimen, make sure to check with your doctor.

Assisting Hands Home Care provides comprehensive non-medical care services. Companion care is essential not only for promoting physical health but also emotional well-being. We build friendships with seniors and prevent them from experiencing loneliness, a public health hazard that is detrimental to longevity.

Choose Assisting Hands Home Care for quality caregiving services in BallenIsles, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach,FL and the surrounding areas. Your elderly loved one will receive compassionate care and support with the activities of daily living. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about senior home care.