Senior exercises should be included as part of your aging parents daily routine. Leg strengthening and balance exercises are necessary for your parents to maintain their best life.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that your aging parents should:
"Exercise to minimize bone loss. You should engage in weight-bearing exercises, such as walking (considered one of the best methods of maintaining bone strength), jogging, hiking, climbing stairs, dancing, aquatic exercises, treadmill exercises, and weight training. Consult your doctor before beginning any vigorous exercise program. Your doctor can evaluate your physical condition and help you decide which activity suits you best.
The National Institute of Aging recommends you begin exercising slowly, especially if you have been inactive. Start with short periods of about 5 to 10 minutes twice a week and build up slowly, adding a few minutes each week. You can build up to exercise periods of 15 to 30 minutes, three or four times a week."
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"Ninety percent of the more than 352,000 hip fractures in the United States each year are the result of a fall. By the year 2050, there will be an estimated 650,000 hip fractures annually. This is nearly 1,800 hip fractures a day.
Women have two to three times as many hip fractures as men. White, post-menopausal women have a 1 in 7 chance of hip fracture during a lifetime. The rate of hip fracture increases at age 50, doubling every five to six years. Nearly one half of women who reach age 90 have suffered a hip fracture." - AAOS
Encourage your aging parents to use these exercises to maintain their health and strength.
Chair Stand Strengthening
Hip Extension
Hamstring
Calf Raises
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