Exercising for the elderly

There are four basic exercises that people - young or old - need to maintain good health.

Strength Exercises

Strength exercises help keep your muscles toned. Don’t hold your breath while exercising. Your muscles need oxygen. Breath out as you exert yourself or push up, breath in as you relax or on the downward motion. Move smoothly – not fast or jerking. Don’t stiffen or lock joints.

Check out these strengthening exercises and/or watch the video at the National Institutes for Health Senior Heatlth page.

Balance Exercises
Balance exercises help to keep you steady on your feet and may help prevent falls resulting in broken bones. As with any exercise start slowly while you build up strength in your legs. View more information on balance exercises.

Stretching

Stretching exercises help with flexibility and should not cause. Smooth easy motion is needed, not fast jerking movements. Warming up before exercising is also important. Yoga routines can be modified to be safe at any age.  Stretching Tips and Exercises


Endurance Exercise

Endurance exercise raises your heart rate for an extended period of time. As with other forms of exercise it is recommended to start out slowly and increase the level as you progress. Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and raking the lawn are examples of endurance exercises. For more information and tips on endurance exercises please check out the NIH Senior Health Web site.

To help stiff muscles become more flexible see Maine Warmers microwavable heat pads.  Back Warmers and Neck Warmers will cover most areas of the body. Heat therapy helps relax sore muscles, increase circulation, and help improve flexibility.

They are versatile and will help with arthritis pain or can be used as bed warmers. Also, they can be frozen if ice or cold therapy is what you need. Cold will help reduce swelling and pain.

Exercise to Maintain Health & Independence

No matter what age we are we want to live independently and have energy to do the things we like to do. The National Institute on Aging recommends exercise to achieve these goals for as long as we can.

Exercise can save your life as well as your lifestyle. Maintaining good health demands physical activity especially as we age. Each year our muscles and connective tissue seem to stiffen up and limit our flexibility.

Exercise gives you strength to stay independent as long as possible, improves energy levels and balance, helps delay or prevent some diseases, reduces depression and perks you up.

In their brochure they offer 4 ways to exercise to maintain:

• Endurance
• Strength
• Balance
• Flexibility

To read or receive their free brochure about exercise see the AgePage at the National Institute on Aging. “Exercise and Physical Activity: Getting Fit For Life.”

Cat microwave heating pad

If you find you have a stiff muscle from exercising you may want to use a microwavable heating pad to help maintain flexibility. The heat helps relax muscles and improve circulation and flexibility. 

Maine Warmers offers microwave heating pads that are decorative as well as functional. They are safe and easy to use and make great gifts for elderly folks. Cats, and Dogs can be left on a couch or chair and do not look like electric heating pads. This can also be used as a bed warmer.