Providing home elderly care involves a number of facets, from ensuring they take the medication they need to helping them with their daily chores. Encouraging exercise and social interaction can also benefit a senior patient. As part of your home elderly care routine, learn more about the benefits of regular walking for seniors.

Why is Walking Important?

Without a daily form of exercise, some seniors can withdrawal socially and spend most of their time isolated in their homes. And because walking requires a low-to-moderate intensity with minimal impact on the joints, it can be an effective way for seniors to get the regular exercise they need. Walking can also be done at most times of the day for seniors, whether they prefer a morning or early evening stroll.

How Does Walking Benefit the Elderly?

There are numerous mental and physical health benefits for seniors who regularly walk. Walking is an excellent source of exercise for heart health and research shows it can reduce cardiovascular events by as much as 31%. And because exercise causes the brain to release endorphins, which are chemicals that can boost your mood, seniors can enjoy reduced anxiety and improve sleep. Additionally, walking gives seniors a chance to enjoy the company of others, which gives them daily social interaction.

How Do You Make it a Routine?

To benefit from walking, a senior needs to make it a part of their daily routine, for at least 20-30 minutes a day, five times a week. If your loved one is receiving home elderly care, talk to the health provider about encouraging regular exercise and making walking a part of their daily schedule. You can also look into local rehabilitative programs that include walking as part of development, along with any local senior programs that offer group exercise.

To make the most out of the home elderly care your loved one receives, talk with the professionals at Lifetime Care in Rochester, NY, about the additional benefits of walking for seniors. Since 1960, this company has provided the specialized services your loved ones need, ranging from nursing and home health assistance to respite care. To learn more about how Lifetime Care can help you take better care of your aging loved one, visit them online or call (585) 214-1000.