3 Summer Therapeutic Activities for the Elderly

Physical health is something to be cherished, and summer provides ample opportunity to nurture physical health while enjoying sunshine and beautiful weather. These are important for all of us, but especially for older adults. 

Therapeutic activities, especially in the summertime, are a great way to support mental health through physical activities and social interaction. And senior citizens can participate in these activities with family members and friends, or, they can participate alone and enjoy some “me” time. 

Summer supports so many wonderful recreational activities, and we all have fond memories of summertime adventures, outdoor activities in the sunshine, and even indoor board games on those rainy days. These are wonderful memories, and there’s no reason that we can’t make more of them in our senior years! 

In this post, we’ll identify why physical activity is so crucial for overall senior wellness. Then, we’ll examine  three therapeutic activities for the elderly that can actually be enjoyed at any age. These can improve overall health while supporting emotional well-being and simply, adding more joy and activity to your list of daily tasks. What’s one of your favorite summer activities that you’d add to this list? 

And of course, please be sure to speak with a doctor before beginning any sort of exercise or movement program! 

Why is physical activity so important for senior health? 

It’s safe to say that everyone knows how important physical activity is for our overall health. But, adding exercise and physical movement to the daily routines of seniors is especially powerful. 

According to the CDC, there are both immediate and long-term benefits to beginning an exercise program for seniors (but again, please remember to speak to a doctor before beginning any sort of exercise program). Once beginning an exercise program, seniors will notice an immediate benefit to sleep quality. 

Beginning an exercise program also has a near-immediate impact on blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of conditions like heart attack and stroke. Exercise will also immediately reduce feelings of anxiety, which itself can impact cognitive function and overall mental well being.

And that’s just the benefits that are noticed in the short term!

In the long-run, the positive impacts are even more powerful. Committing to a long-term exercise program improves brain health, positively impacting cognitive decline and memory loss. It improves cognitive abilities while reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In addition to the immediate anxiety benefits above, long-term exercise reduces the risk of depression in seniors. 

Cognitive stimulation from the physical activity itself, as well as exercise in group settings providing crucial social connections, has a tremendous impact on mental well-being.

Besides the immediate impact on blood pressure, long-term exercise further lowers the risk of heart disease, including heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It lowers the risk of eight cancers (that healthcare professionals know of – there is likely even more benefit when it comes to cancer), including colon, breast, esophagus, bladder, and lung). 

Exercise also improves bone strength, which can help stave off or decrease the effects of osteoporosis, and can have a major impact on the reduction of falls. 

And the best news is that nearly everyone can participate in some form of exercise or movement, even if you suffer from mobility issues or other physical ailments. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your doctor before beginning any program. They can help you identify which activities are safest and best to achieve your goals, and can even connect you with resources (including therapists or trainers) to ensure you are able to safely participate in those activities. 

We won’t go into walking in this post, which is a relatively easy way to get moving. It’s been covered so much, we are sure that you understand the highly-touted benefits of walking! So instead, here are some of the most highly-recommended summer therapeutic activities for seniors:

1. Swimming

Swimming is often a highly recommended choice of activity for seniors. It is a low impact form of physical exercise that builds muscle strength, tones muscles, and offers a fun way to enjoy therapeutic recreation in our golden years. Swimming has been shown to boost cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease. And physical therapy-type exercises are often done in the water, offering an alternative to more traditional swimming laps that can also occur in the water. Water is often very soothing, and of course it cools you off during hot summer days! 

There are such numerous benefits associated with swimming. One of them is improved flexibility in the neck, arms, legs, and hips, which can improve posture, balance, and coordination (and help decrease the risk of falls). Swimming has also been shown to aid in weight management, and it’s a good way to get physical movement into regular daily activities. Swimming even burns more calories than walking! 

Many towns have low-priced outdoor pools that can be used during the summer for a nominal fee. Gyms and senior centers are other options for finding a pool or pool activities for seniors if you don’t have a pool in your backyard (or the backyard of a loved one).

Spending time a few days a week swimming can even improve sleep health, and overall sleep quality actually improves other health markers across the board. Yes, it can seem like the health benefits really never end, but that’s because it truly can have such a profound impact on overall health. Swimming is one of the best ways to get regular physical activity that improves overall health. 

2. Tai Chi

Tai chi, often called “meditation in motion,” is a low impact, easily accessible exercise for nearly everyone. It can be done standing up, or modified to be done in a chair for those with mobility issues. In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, tai chi in particular has a powerful impact on overall quality of life for seniors. That’s because it helps clear the mind and improve mental health while providing light exercise for older people (and really, anyone – tai chi is an ultra accessible form of activity!). 

A study published by the American College of Epidemiology even found that tai chi can reduce overall mortality risk!

Some of the other benefits of tai chi include improved balance and hand-eye coordination, thanks to the fluid, controlled movements of the activity. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that participating in tai chi can reduce senior risk of falls by a whopping 50%! That’s from its ability to improve core strength, body awareness, and even confidence (many seniors feel unsteady on their feet, which tai chi can help combat).

We like recommending tai chi as well because it requires an extremely low barrier to entry. There’s no special equipment necessary – simply loose fitting clothing and comfortable shoes (it can also be practiced barefoot). 

Many senior centers and towns offer outdoor tai chi in the summer, which is a lovely way to connect with nature in an exercise class, enjoying a fun activity with people of all ages. To that end, it’s an excellent way to combat social isolation, as participating in the movements of tai chi with others can provide mental stimulation and ease anxiety on many levels. It is a powerful exercise and a powerful form of social engagement, to be sure. 

Another benefit to tai chi and its accessibility is that, when you can’t find an outdoor (or indoor) free class in your area, there are thousands of free, beginner tai chi videos on YouTube. These include many full workouts from experienced practitioners. There are even many videos designed specifically for seniors. Just search “beginner tai chi for seniors” and choose your favorites.

 

3. Yoga

Yoga and tai chi are similar in that they are both highly accessible, highly beneficial activities that take a holistic approach to health for seniors. In particular, yoga is a recreational activity with a myriad of benefits. It is also surprisingly one of the most accessible forms of exercise for those with mobility impairments. 

Also similar to tai chi, many people consider yoga a therapeutic activity, even more than an “exercise.” That’s because it has a powerful impact on not just physical, but mental health as well. 

Yoga is another low impact exercise, and it can be performed standing, sitting, laying down, and even in a chair. Yoga prioritizes movements and stretches while prioritizing the mind-body connection. The ensuing movements and exercises have a profound impact on physical and emotional well-being. 

Yoga poses for seniors often prioritize core stability, which can further aid in preventing falls and improving balance. Holding yoga poses while focusing on breathing can also help with flexibility, and can significantly improve lung function, according to a study published in the Journal of Human Kinetics. There is some promising research shared by Harvard Health Publishing that shows weight-bearing yoga practice can even improve bone strength and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Reduced anxiety and improved mental health, and improved quality of sleep are still more benefits of yoga for seniors. And that’s not even an exhaustive list!

Just as with tai chi, there are also many many yoga videos on YouTube for seniors and beginners. Just search for “beginner yoga for seniors” (or “chair yoga for seniors“) and start exploring!

Assistance from a caregiver in Oklahoma City can also help improve overall wellness.

Research shows that a vast majority of seniors prefer to age at home. With home care services from LiveBetter at Home, we empower seniors to stay active, independent, and healthy in the comfort of their own homes, for as long as possible. To learn more about our range of services, call us at (405) 461-6175 or contact us through our website today.