5 Benefits of Swimming for Seniors

By Jamie Shapiro | June 6, 2017 | Comments Off on 5 Benefits of Swimming for Seniors

Age is no reason for seniors to stop exercising, but the type of activity they choose may have to shift. When joints are sore and muscles aren’t as strong as they once were, it’s easy for the elderly to avoid exercise, even though it can help them with their overall health.

Home Care in Skokie IL: Benefits of Swimming

Home Care in Skokie IL: Benefits of Swimming

There’s only so much that family members and home care aides can do to motivate seniors to exercise, but who can resist spending time in a pool? Many seniors find that swimming is much more fun than regular exercise and they are more likely to participate. Swimming and water activities may be the perfect solution for seniors that want to stay active but aren’t able to do strength training or walking long distances.

Here are 5 wonderful benefits for seniors who swim:

1. Relieve Joint Pain

Seniors that suffer with joint pain, like arthritis, can find relief when swimming and exercising in the water. Their buoyancy in the water causes a reduction in stress in the joints, so they don’t hurt as much. The resistance that the water provides also makes it much less jarring to the body, reducing the pain levels for seniors.

2. Increases Heart Rate

One reason exercise is so beneficial to the body is because it increases the heart rate. Regular exercise causes the heart to get stronger and pumps blood more efficiently. Any aerobic activity like swimming can help keep cardiovascular disease at bay. Whether seniors choose water aerobics, swimming laps, water dancing or water jogging, they are all aerobic exercises that benefit the body.

3. Improve Muscle Strength

Exercising in the water allows seniors to use controlled and smooth movements, plus the resistance in the water builds up muscle strength. Swimming is the top muscle-building activity for seniors, strengthening their arms, legs and core. Even simply walking in the water will do more to strengthen muscles than walking on dry land due to the resistance.

4. Builds More Flexibility

When seniors work out in the water, they have a much greater range of movement than they do on land. The water allows them to do more with their body than they would be able to do in a more traditional exercise routine. For example, in the water, seniors can bring their knees up to their chest when holding onto the wall, whereas on land they could not do this.

5. Brightens Mood

When seniors are fit and taking care of themselves, they have more self-confidence. Plus, exercising releases endorphins, which stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain. Besides the physical benefits of swimming, there are tremendous mental health benefits associated with it. Seniors are prone to depression, but exercise and fitness are proven ways to combat it.

 

It’s definitely worthwhile to get elderly loved ones involved in swimming. Unfortunately there are often many obstacles that stand in the way of seniors getting to spend time in the pool. Transportation is a big challenge, but family members, home care aides and friends can take turns getting the elderly where they need to go. If the seniors have any interest in being active and staying fit, swimming is the way to go.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Skokie, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Source:

https://www.livescience.com/48336-swimming-best-exercise-older-adults.html

 

Jamie Shapiro
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Posted in Exercise Tips, Home Care in Skokie IL and tagged