Posts Tagged ‘staying fit in assisted living’

Now that summer is in full swing, exercise and staying fit is top of mind for many of us, and that should include the older Americans in your life. Although there is a perception that assisted living restricts your freedom, the truth is just the opposite. The goal of assisted living is to extend your freedom as much as possible for as long as possible, and one of the ways we do that is by encouraging and making it easy for our residents to exercise on a regular basis.

If you or a loved one is struggling to stay fit in assisted living this summer, we have some tips to help you out.

1)   Know Your Limits

As we age, our bodies change and sometimes we are no longer able to do some of the exercises we used to do on a regular basis, so the first thing you need to do to stay fit as you age is to recognize your limits and avoid pushing yourself, because that can result in injury. Once you know what you can and cannot do, you can come up with a workout routine that works for you.

2)   Explore Your Options

Most assisted living communities have designated places for residents to exercise, as well as exercise equipment. If you are not sure if something is available, ask a staff member what they provide to help their residents stay fit. You might be surprised by all the options available to you. For example, here at Stillwater Senior Living, we provide something different EVERY day of the week! We also encourage exploring our lovely hallways!

3)   Get a Workout Buddy

One of the biggest benefits of assisted living is the sense of community it provides, and a great way to take advantage of that community is to get a workout buddy. Whether you want someone to take a dance class with you, or just go for a walk with you, working out with someone else almost always makes it more fun and gives you an opportunity to bond with one of your fellow assisted living residents. All of our classes are well attended, so you are sure to find a buddy!

4) Get Outside

Appropriate summer weather to be outside is short here in the Midwest, so it is important to take advantage of the nice weather while we can. Exercising in nature has proven benefits for mental health, as well as physical health, so get outside and enjoy some fresh air and nature whenever you can.

At the same time, it is important to remember that we often have very hot days, especially in July and August, so exercising outside is usually not always feasible during those months. If you can, try to get your exercise done first thing in the morning before it gets too hot.

At Stillwater Senior Living, we make the health of our residents a top priority, and that includes providing plenty of opportunities for exercise, both inside and outside. If you want to learn more about the exercise opportunities we provide to our residents, we are always happy to chat.