As an elderly care provider for your aging loved one, you’re tasked with helping them maintain a good quality of life. Spending more time outdoors can go a long way toward achieving this goal. When encouraging your senior loved one to take a walk around the neighbor or enjoy other open-air activities, use the following mental and physical health benefits as an incentive. 

3 Ways Seniors Benefit From Spending Time in Nature

1. Curb Depression

Six million Americans age 65 and older experience late-life depression. Depression can affect the ability of older adults to heal from illnesses. Going for a nature walk can help your loved one combat depression, stress, and anxiety. Walking releases endorphins, chemicals linked with positive feelings. Seeing the changing scenery while walking in nature evokes a calming response. 

2. Keep the Heart Healthy

As an elderly care provider, encouraging your senior to walk in nature can prevent them from developing life-threatening heart conditions. When your senior is calm, and their stress levels are low, blood pressure also drops. This means their heart won’t exert more energy to pump blood. It’s the extra effort to maintain proper blood flow that causes arteries to narrow and harden and weakens the heart muscle. These developments increase the risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease. 

3. Exercise Longer

Exercising outside can lead to a more intense workout. According to one study, participants who walked outdoors felt they exerted less energy than they did while walking inside. People walked faster in nature, but the surrounding stimuli might have made the trek feel less demanding.   

For group activities that promote mental stimulation and keep seniors physically fit, reach out to BeeHive Homes of Columbia Falls. Established in 2008, the Columbia Falls, MT-based, assisted-living facilities provide elderly care services for residents in the Flathead County area. The family-owned and -operated senior living facilities include one house with 13 rooms and another with 16 rooms. This allows the elderly care specialists more time to spend with the residents. Learn more about the assisted living services online and call (406) 270-0513 to request additional information. Keep up with announcements on Facebook.