Know how mental health is linked with physical well-being

It may be difficult to watch a loved one battle cancer, Alzheimer's, or any potentially fatal illness. Since there is nothing you can do to assist, you may feel dissatisfied and powerless. You can feel uneasy and unsure about your health as a result. This is especially true for a disease like Alzheimer's, where there are still many unanswered questions.

Although the evidence for hereditary factors that enhance the incidence of Alzheimer's is still unclear, several lifestyle decisions are thought to be important. Regular exercise is one of them. Daily exercise, according to researchers, lowers stress and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease. It is believed that these conditions exacerbate Alzheimer's.

Working out and brain health

Research that was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease looked into possible connections between Alzheimer's and good brain health. They sought out people who, on average, were 78 years old and led sedentary lifestyles. Researchers divided the participants into the following two groups:

Seniors who looked to be in good health

Elderly people with minor cognitive impairment

Participants in the 12-week study exercised on a treadmill under the guidance of a personal trainer. Both groups had improved levels of cardiovascular fitness, cognitive function, and brain efficiency after the 12 weeks. Even for people with modest cognitive impairment, researchers hypothesized that exercise likely plays a crucial role in preserving and potentially even increasing brain function and memory recall.

Ideas for seniors and caregivers fitness in the family

This study's hopeful conclusion was that even a little exercise may make a difference. The only exercise the participants did was walk on a treadmill for 30 minutes, five days a week, at a moderate pace. A moderate pace was defined as one that causes an increase in heart rate while still enabling discussion.

We offer some recommendations for exercise activities you may perform either alone or with others. There are two websites with free online resources:

National Institute of Aging: You may discover a range of tools and articles on the National Institute on Aging's website under the Exercise and Physical Activity section.

Growing Stronger: This initiative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Tufts University provides several resources as well. Even their free, 126-page handbook is available for download.

Walking, Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga, recumbent biking, and low-impact aerobics are further recommendations. Consult your doctor if you've been leading a very sedentary lifestyle or if you haven't worked out recently. They can offer suggestions for the kind and amount of exercise you should do.

Heritage care home senior living puts health first

Our residents at Heritage Care Home Senior Living communities take advantage of a distinctive, all-encompassing approach to wellness. Through our program, they have the chance to take part in activities that support wellness on a physical level. Every interest and level of fitness can be satisfied by a variety of activities, from morning stretches to strength training and Zumba. To find out more, dial (704) 704-2231 right away!