Staying active as you age is important for your quality of life
Did you know that there are more than 7.5 million adults over the age of 65 years living in Canada? That means it’s safe to say that every single one of us has at least one person in our life over the age of 65 who we really care about, whether it’s a family member, friend, neighbour or even a co-worker. And while aging comes with the opportunity to watch loved ones grow up and make memories, older adulthood also comes with an increased risk for several chronic health conditions such as hypertension, arthritis and osteoporosis, just to name a few.
Before we get too heavy into the numbers, there’s a picture we’re trying to paint here: as our nation ages, it’s critical that we develop health-promoting habits that offset or slow the progression of age- and lifestyle-related behaviours. Physical activity has been identified as a key tool for supporting healthy aging. Specifically, incorporating it into the daily routines of all people living in Canada can help combat the growing trend of older adults dealing with non-communicable or chronic illnesses, cognitive decline and mental health problems.
Physical activity is an excellent tool for helping maintain a healthy lifestyle at any age, but the impacts it can have on older adults is huge. Quite simply, being active regularly is a great way to age better.
Movement is for everyone, no matter how old you are
Here’s the really great thing about being active: we can enjoy the benefits regardless of the birth date on our identification cards or the numbers of candles on our birthday cakes. Sure, competing in certain sports and activities may be easier on the body when we’re in our 20s and 30s compared to in our 60s or 70s, but that definitely does not mean that we have to start cutting physical activity out of our routines.
At the end of the day, the positive impacts of physical activity on older adults is undeniable. So, as a society, we really need to start talking about the need for older adults to remain active into their, 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond to not only feel young at heart but also to really get the most out of their lives.
Here are some benefits of staying active as you age:
- Lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
- Reduced rates of colon and breast cancers.
- Improved self-esteem, moods and the ability to handle stress.
- Lower risk of falling
- Better cognitive function
- Improved strength, balance, flexibility and mobility
Compared to most of the benefits on that list, lower risk of falling seems kind of insignificant, especially when compared to other positive impacts of physical activity such as lower rates of heart disease and reduced risk of cancers. But take this in for a minute: falls affect a huge portion of the older population, as 28% to 35% of people over the age of 65 fall each year. That number increases to 32% to 42% for those 70 or older.
So, to help keep our loved ones strong, social and on their feet, take them for a walk through the park, visit a local pool or try out a nearby yoga studio. Not only will these activities boost social bonding and positive emotions, they’ll also help them develop stronger muscle groups, bones and therefore, mobility.
The writing is on the wall, Canada: we need to get seniors moving to improve their quality of life. Physical activity is for everyone, regardless of size, shape or age.
