As the body grow old it experience significant physiological changes. These changes occur at different rates within a person and between people. However, these physiological changes can be slowed down by lifestyle changes and modification of physical activities. Exercise physiologists associate the process of aging with disability and health problems. This process of aging normally looked at in three phases, namely entering old age, these are people who have retired from their careers or child-rearing they may be as young as 50 years, transitional phase, these are people in their seventy and above and frail older people, this group is susceptible due to health problems associated with aging and they may need assisted living. The modern medical technology have made it possible to increase life expectancy, therefore the next task of health professionals is to assist the senior population to improve and maintain independent functional capacity so that they can sustain high quality of life while keeping health costs as low as possible. This is can be facilitated by designing age-appropriate senior living facilities with tailored physical activities. Here we have outlined some of the physical activities that can help the senior with memory care and remain active hence delaying the process of aging.
Activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, dressing, or getting around and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) such as cooking, shopping, or house chores are common when dealing with the senior adults. The ability to perform ADL and IADL decreases with age. Generally, the elderly population has ADL or IADL problems resulting from chronic health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. Therefore, actively engaging them in ADL and IADL can play an integral role in keeping this population active and independent.
The other recommended physical activity for the senior population is aerobic exercises. One of the other most common aerobic activities for older adults is walking. However, you need to monitor heart rate, blood pressure, ratings of perceived exertion, and distance walked. It is important to record everything to ensure a proper exercise prescription is designed or adjusted to decrease complications.
The other important physical exercise is flexibility such as static stretches and low impacts yoga. Flexibility plays a key role in facilitating ADL such as dressing and bathing of this population. Balancing exercises are also important to increase joints stability and ensure body stability that is important in preventing things such as falling which is frequent in seniors. Those are some main physical activities that can help the senior population. To get more insight on how to care for the old, read here:https://www.britannica.com/science/old-age.
