Each new year we hear about the countless goals friends and family make — 2019 is going to be their best year yet! If you’re thinking you’re “too old” to set goals, think again! Setting goals for yourself is healthy, especially when these goals benefit your overall health and fitness.

If you’re a senior, or have an elderly loved one, here’s a few more reasons why setting health and fitness goals is a great idea for 2019.

Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

There’s a number of reasons why we tend to “slow down” as we age — health problems, weight, aches and pains or fall risks — the list goes on and on. But, the truth is, maintaining/implementing an active lifestyle becomes even more important to your health as you age. Exercising can improve your energy, help you remain independent, promote heart health, manage symptoms associated with illness, provide pain management and help you maintain a healthy weight. Here are a few more benefits of exercise for common health concerns seniors deal with:

• Arthritis – Regular activity helps to lubricate joints, reducing the pain and stiffness commonly accompanying arthritis.
• Heart disease – A healthy exercise regimen promotes healthy blood pressure and blood glucose levels and decreases LDL cholesterol — all of which can lead to heart disease.
• Diabetes & Obesity – Exercise has been shown to maintain proper body weight and assist in regulating blood glucose and insulin levels.
• Cancer – An active lifestyle has shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer — as much as 30% – 40% for breast cancer.
• Depression – Exercise has been directly linked to mood enhancement, with the ability to reduce symptoms of depression by 30% or more
• Dementia – A healthy exercise routine has been proven to slow the progression of mental decline, with more than a 50% reduction in the risk of developing dementia.
• Insomnia – Medication and other life events can alter our sleep patterns. However, exercising regularly can help “tire-out” our bodies, promoting a more restful night’s sleep.

Implementing a regular exercise regimen can be challenging, but it’s one of the healthiest decisions you can make as you continue to age. When you begin any exercise program, always be sure to consult with you doctor and consider and current medical conditions.

Setting Goals

Establishing health goals, and working to attain them, can help to preserve independence as the years go by. Goals provide purpose, and purpose is important in helping seniors feel as though they have a good quality of life.

And when it comes to helping seniors set health goals, there is no right or wrong. Whatever inspires and motivates them is a great direction to start, and at Charles Ford Retirement Communities, we always work to adapt goals to suit the individual’s needs and limitations.
If you are interested in learning more about setting health goals for you or for your loved one, contact us today at (812) 682-4675.