The Importance Of Physical Activity For Assisted Living Residents

In an assisted living community, residents with disabling health conditions have opportunities to safely participate in beneficial, gentle exercise. The center may offer exercise sessions and athletic activities geared toward certain ability levels. Since many residents deal with conditions causing chronic pain and weakness, the employees in charge of recreation offer a wide variety of options.

The Advantages of Assisted Living

These communities are designed for people who can live somewhat independently but need help with certain activities. A chronic disabling disorder may make living alone too difficult.

For example, multiple sclerosis can cause severe weakness and balance issues. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with disabling pain and inflammation in some joints, gradually eroding the bone structure. The conditions cause fatigue, which is also a symptom of congestive heart failure and many other chronic medical issues. People with these disorders have reason to feel anxious and depressed. tHOSE with disabling health problems may eventually be unable to complete ordinary hygiene tasks every day. 

Advances in medicine allow individuals with these conditions to live longer and more fully than previously was possible. At some point, however, they might need routine assistance. If residing at home is no longer feasible, an assisted living community may be the solution.

The Importance of Physical Activity

Continuing to be physically active in one's senior and elderly years is important, even for disabled individuals. Doing so maintains and improves flexibility and strength. Physical activity is energizing and recognized as a mood booster.

Many people in assisted living cannot move part of the body due to disability. A nurse's aide or physical therapist assistant helps by doing the lifting, moving, and stretching for the patient. The technique is known as passive exercise. These communities commonly employ nursing aides and bring in physical therapists and their assistants on a schedule.

Activity Possibilities

Those who walk with a cane or walker may feel safer doing so with other community residents or an employee. This allows them to get some healthy exercise outside whenever the weather is cooperative. Walking is one of the best activities since it maintains bone strength and density.

The community might offer classes in activities like yoga and strength exercises. Chair yoga is appropriate for many disabled individuals. Some communities have a swimming pool or transport residents to a facility where they can swim or do water exercises. With a myriad of possibilities, every resident can participate in an activity they enjoy.

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