Regularly exercising or maintaining physical activity can help senior citizens in assisted living facilities avoid boredom as well as reduce the risk of sedentary health problems.

Avoiding Sitting Disease in Seniors in Assisted Living Facility

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Exercising is one of the key elements to ensure a healthy life, which is why assisted living communities encourage their residents to lead an active lifestyle. It is also seen that a lack of exercise can be very dangerous to the overall health of seniors and can cause a host of ailments. Sitting disease is one of those conditions, which can in turn lead to a lot of health problems like type II diabetes, heart diseases, decreased flexibility and mobility, and even certain types of cancer.

A recent study by Northwestern University found that sedentary behavior could be a potential cause of future physical disability and can make it difficult to manage even basic daily activities like eating, bathing, and dressing. According to the study, “Every additional hour a day you spend sitting is linked to a 50% greater risk of being disabled regardless of how much moderate exercise you get.”

Many other studies have also highlighted how prolonged sitting can heighten the risk of chronic kidney disease, circulatory problems, heart disorders, and musculoskeletal issues. Besides, inactivity for a long time can lead to a feeling of isolation in seniors and take a toll on their mental health as well. This makes it very important for seniors in an assisted living facility to follow a regular exercise schedule to stay fit and active. 

Avoiding Sitting Disease in Seniors

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine said that maintaining a high level of physical activity every day helped to reduce the risk of untimely death by around 75% in seniors when compared to those who led a sedentary lifestyle. That is why assisted living communities offer a wide range of options for maintaining the physical, mental, emotional, and creative activity of their residents. This could include dance classes and tai chi sessions to yoga clubs and daily workout routines.

Senior care facilities also work to create awareness among their residents about the dangers associated with being too sedentary. This helps to motivate seniors to engage in a physical activity that they like and socialize with other residents in the assisted living facility. Below are a few ideas to help seniors in assisted living communities stay active and ward off sitting disease.

  • Go shopping to get the groceries, vegetables, and fruits, and walk around the aisles to pick the products you like
  • If you are going out for a movie night with your family, park the vehicle at the farthest point and walk across the parking lot to the cinema
  • Maintain a daily schedule of walking in the community grounds or a nearby park, be it in the morning or evening
  • Take part in low-impact activities regularly at the assisted living facility that suits your body and fitness levels
  • Plan a weekly bike ride or stroll with your family if possible to get caught up on how everyone is doing
  • Start a new hobby of planting a vegetable garden or visiting the art museums in the neighborhood
  • Participate in group activities that require you to get off the couch and socialize with others in the assisted living community
  • Be aware of your fitness levels and check with your health care provider regularly to discuss what activities you can handle safely
  • Get a wearable fitness monitoring device to get instant feedback on your daily activities and track your goals actively
  • Follow a healthy and balanced diet with nuts, fruits, vegetables, beans, eggs, and meat to supply your body the required nourishment

Note that if you are sensitive to certain foods or have any underlying health condition that requires avoiding some products, then you will need to consult with your doctor to understand which foods you can include in your daily diet to remain fit, strong, and healthy.

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