Helping Seniors Stay Active Over the Summer

Thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, the Winter of 2020-2021 was a particularly difficult one. Now that restrictions are beginning to ease and more people have been vaccinated, many people are eager to get out there and get active this summer. Of course, it’s not always easy to get back into a fitness routine, especially for seniors who have been subject to the most stringent lockdown measures. In spite of that, living an active lifestyle can help reduce risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and a host of other health problems. If you know a senior who wants to get active this summer, here are some ways you can help them safely get some exercise.

Go for a Morning Walk

While staying active is important for people of all ages, seniors should exercise caution when exercising outdoors during the summer. Strenuous activities on a hot day could easily lead to heat illness or hyperthermia. If you have a senior loved one, ask them if they would like to go for a morning or evening walk with you. Not only will they appreciate the social interaction, the lower temperatures of the morning and evening hours will give them the perfect opportunity to exercise safely. It can even become a regular event! Just remember that staying hydrated is crucial, so bring plenty of water with you. 

Low-Impact Workouts

Staying active can be difficult for people with limited mobility or joint issues. That’s why low-impact workouts are a good idea for seniors. You may want to introduce your senior loved one to a low-impact aerobics class, yoga class, or some other low-impact exercise. These types of workouts are great because they provide a moderate amount of physical activity while improving strength, agility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness.

Water Exercise

Speaking of low-impact, swimming is one of the best ways to get some exercise while going easy on the joints. Many rec centers and public pools even offer socially distant water aerobics and other classes for seniors who want to stay active safely over the summer.

Experience the Local Culture

Getting some exercise doesn’t have to seem like hard work. For seniors who have been locked down over the winter, visiting a museum, library, art show, or farmer’s market can be a great way to get some extra steps in a way that’s fun and enriching for the mind and body. 

Fitness Programs at Senior Living Communities

If your senior loved one resides at a senior living community, or they are interested in making that transition, they should know that these communities often offer supervised fitness programs designed specifically for older people. At Summerset’s senior living communities in Lincoln, CA and Rancho Cordova, CA, we offer a variety of fitness classes for people of all ability levels. Working out with qualified trainers under 24/7 medical supervision means that any senior can stay active safely, whether it’s Summer or any other time of the year. We also provide ample opportunities for social interaction and cultural enrichment with planned outings to local cultural sites, movie theaters, sports games, and more.

If you would like to find out more about how our senior living communities can help your loved one enjoy a better quality of life, get in touch with Summerset Senior Living right away. Call (916) 619-0494 or fill out the online form on our contact page to request more information or to set up your free tour today!