Age tends to have a detrimental impact on flexibility. As we age, joints and muscles tend to become stiff, limiting natural body movement. Compromised flexibility leads to poor mobility, which affects the independence or autonomy of the elderly. Compromised flexibility and limited mobility are among the key reasons older adults must be moved into Assisted Living in Goose Creek, SC. Be that as it may, elders need to work on restoring their flexibility despite all the help they get from caregivers.
Here are several ways Assisted Living communities help the elderly regain flexibility:
Workout Instructors and Other Specialists
To regain flexibility, older adults have to embrace a kind of workout strategy that targets specific parts of the body. Majorly the exercise should focus on the lower extremities, including hip flexors, quadriceps, pelvis areas, calves and hamstrings.
Many forms of exercise should be utilized to improve the aforementioned areas. They include stretching and swimming. Yoga is also effective. Nevertheless, the residents of Assisted Living communities require someone who can guide them through workout procedures and encourage them to follow through.
Of course, workouts cannot be completed without a qualified instructor or trainer. Trainers and instructors in Assisted Living establishments should be experienced and skilled enough to meet the needs of the elderly.
Fun Group Workouts
The main reason why many older adults avoid working out, although it is vital for their flexibility, is that it can be tedious and exhausting. Assisted Living communities have different ways to spice up workout programs to make them fun. This is achieved through the use of music as well as group workouts. Group workouts make the entire exercising procedure interesting and less exhausting.
Quality Work Out Equipment
An ideal Assisted Living community should be equipped with top-notch workout equipment specifically meant for older adults. Swimming, for instance, is perfect for improving flexibility. Thus, a model Assisted Living neighborhood should have a standard swimming pool, among other items such as stability balls, rowing machines, wrist weights and so on.
Yoga has also been proven to boost flexibility among the elderly. The community should also have seasoned yoga instructors and the necessary equipment to help in this regard.
Standby Medical Services
Most flexibility exercises are not so grueling or punishing to the body structure. Even so, older adults have weaker bones and delicate joints that could easily dislocate, break or fracture in the course of stretching or working out. Fortunately, Assisted Living communities have standby medical services that can offer first aid services and any other form of assistance that may be required to contain an emergency.
Benefits of Flexibility Among the Elderly
Older adults need to work on developing or improving their flexibility. It is an attribute of great essence to the survival of the elderly, even if they can still get help from caregivers in Assisted Living communities. To begin with, flexibility provides functional lift. Essentially, it is easier to execute everyday tasks when you can move your extremities without struggling.
Flexibility also helps protect older adults from potential injuries in the form of fractures, muscle strain and so on. In the same way, having more flexibility is vital in curbing falls and enhancing balance. It plays a significant role in reducing chronic pain in the joints too. Likewise, the physical component is essential in enhancing posture.
