subject: Non-Impact Exercises for the Elderly [print this page] Picture the scene : old dears sat in a nursing home totally dependent on others. They cannot dress, go to the toilet or feed themselves. Who wants to end his/her days like this? Becoming older is inevitable. Becoming weaker, frailer and dependent on others is not. Your body will decline if you let it. Don't. You can enjoy a good quality of independent living into your old age.
Many old people are afraid to exercises, thinking they will injure themselves. This is totally wrong. Exercise will stop you from being injured in your day-to-day life. You are more likely to suffer a hip fracture as a non-exerciser that as an exerciser.
Staying as physically active as possible is vitally important. Without exercise, you will become weaker, suffer from diseases, physical decline and an increased risk of injuries. Exercise and staying active are key to good health in older life. Regular exercise will reap benefits:
Better sleep
Release of endorphins which counter depression.
Fights Alzheimer's and dementia
Prevents and eases arthritis
Builds immunity to diseases, viruses and infections
Builds bone mass and prevent osteoporosis
Reduces recovery time if ill/after operations
Gives you more energy
Helps you relax and be calmer
Feel healthier
No matter what you age, you do not want to be exercising for hours a day. Just 15 or 20 minutes a day is enough. But considering that that 15 minutes will help you to be stay independent, it's 15 minutes well spent.
However, you need to do the right exercises. The wrong exercises will do you more harm than good.
