Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

Working with older adults, in the care sector I have seen many changes over the last six years. The most encouraging of these is the growing recognition that physical activity has an important part to play in later life and EVEN in residential care.

Motivating older adults to join an exercise session is not usually an easy task, in fact I often have comments such as: "I've done my exercise young man" and "I spent 50 years in the Navy, why should I exercise now?". This may deter those who are not confident enough in their knowledge of this subject. With the correct training, however, people can learn to recognise the abilities and limitations of their special clients and gain the skills required to encourage participation and ensure the mobility exercises are not childish but are rewarding and enjoyable.

Talking from experience, the results are rarely predictable: some clients become a little stronger, more flexible and gain confidence in their balance, others receive psychological benefits such as feeling happier, more inclined to interact and having an appetite. Of course there are those who won't get either type of benefit and also those who will get both. Whatever the outcome, it's important not to give up - for each person, every day is different and their next attempt may well surprise you - and them!

In the drive towards person-centred care it's extremely important that all service users are offered the opportunity to exercise. There are a number of barriers, or 'opportunities' as I prefer to call them, but these are not necessarily linked to race, gender age or disability. Many seniors will NOT consider participating in an organised physical activity due to feelings of depression and a lack of confidence - these are understandable but need to be overcome as regular activity, even seated exercise, will help to reduce these symptoms and add to a persons quality of life.

If you start with the right approach, a person should show some level of interest, which can be built upon and no matter how slight this may be, there is hope. The next task is to motivate that person to participate in some form of mental or physical exercise and afterwards they should feel that they have achieved something and enjoyed themselves.

Similar to the leisure industry, the care sector is changing and developing and while the media keep telling us that there are potential benefits of exercise for all age groups, I have seen an encouraging improvement in providing a variety of therapeutic activities for older adults in residential care. On that happy note there are many home managers, activity coordinators and carers who deserve a 'pat on the back' for ensuring activities are for life, not just entertainment.