Healthy Lifestyle Benefits To Elderly People
Across the country, older adults are increasing their physical activity in novel ways. "Older adults can obtain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of physical activity," according to Physical Activity and Health, A Report of the Surgeon General. The advantages include a lower risk of heart disease, increased stamina and muscle strength, and a lower risk of falling and breaking bones. Furthermore, physical activity can promote mood and well-being improvements. Senior living communities are setting the standard by providing a variety of exercise and health programs that encourage residents to improve their physical fitness.
Fitness programs for all levels are available at one group of luxury retirement communities across the country. Residents of Classic Residence by Hyatt communities are encouraged to participate in physical activities ranging from aquacise classes to tai chi.
Older adults are taking advantage of new services and educational opportunities as a result of the influx of new exercise and diet recommendations. Residents, for example, have expressed a strong interest in tai chi, a martial arts form that improves balance and body awareness through slow and precise body movements. Tai chi reduces the risk of falls in older adults by nearly half, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by the National Institute on Aging.
"Members of the group have reported a variety of health benefits, including increased muscular strength, improved balance, better memory, more manageable hypertension control, and a general sense of well-being," said resident Beatrice Rose, M.D., M.P.H.
A customized three-day-a-week resistance training program assisted Fred Donnelly, a resident, in reducing his body fat composition from 21 to 10% in one year. "The fitness program has allowed me to keep my weight and my health," Donnelly said.
Another important aspect of overall health is diet. Food is no longer as pleasurable for many elderly people as it once was. For those on restricted diets, the traditional methods of flavor enhancement, such as adding salt and butter, are out of the question.
To provide residents with great-tasting and healthy food, the luxury retirement company collaborated with Dr. Susan Schiffman of Duke University's Taste and Smell Lab to develop a natural way to enhance the flavor of food. The result is Classically Pleasing Cuisine, a breakthrough in cooking technique that uses all-natural ingredients to enhance food's aroma, flavor, and tenderness with no added salt.
Older adults are reducing their risk of illness and improving their overall health by combining regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and routine health screenings.