Walking for Seniors

Walking has many benefits for seniors — for both your mind and body. Walking can improve your health and well-being. At Heritage Heights, we promote living a healthy lifestyle each day and going for daily walks, is a key part of maintaining physical and emotional health.

You may be surprised to learn that walking is not only a simple way to get your body moving but it’s recommended as a daily exercise with great results in reducing many health issues.

Cardiac Health

 Walking is one of the best exercises for heart health. The CDC recommends walking at least 150 minutes weekly for adults 65 and older.

Lower Blood Sugar

Taking a walk after meals — even just a 15-minute walk — has been shown to reduce the spike in blood sugar that some seniors can experience after eating.

This study found that walking for half an hour played a central role in preventing long-term complications in managing type 2 diabetes too.

Strong Bones and Joints:

Walking offers benefits working multiple muscle groups, including calves, ankles, hamstrings and the lower back. Walking also keeps your joints lubricated and helps you stay more independent.

Slowing Cognitive Decline:

Studies show walking can help protect the aging brain from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It was found that age-related memory decline was lower in those who walked more.

Mood Enhancement:

Walking releases endorphins that create a sense of well-being and reduce anxiety.

Setting walking goals and seeing positive results can also increase your self-confidence.

Reduce Aches and Pains:

Since walking builds muscles and promotes flexibility, many seniors find it beneficial in controlling pain. Walking lubricates knee and hip joints and strengthens surrounding muscles, reducing the strain placed on the joint itself.  Walking can be pain relief in many cases.

Sleep Aid:

Daily walks have been shown to improve the quality and duration of sleep. This study found the relationship between daytime moving and restful sleep to be consistent and strong. It showed that the more steps people accumulated over the course of the study, the higher their self-rated sleep quality was during that time.

Social Interaction:

Walking with a friend or loved makes exercise more fun, helps you make new friends and helps to fight loneliness.

Improve Immune System Health:

Studies have shown that walking is associated with reduced disease activity and improves immune function in seniors. It has been found that regular walkers get sick less frequently and for shorter periods than people who don’t exercise. They also tend to have less severe symptoms

Walking may be one of the easiest exercises to do for your health — but it still requires thought and planning to get started and make it a routine.

You need to set appropriate and realistic goals for your body and health needs. Not doing so can lead to discouragement, frustration, or even injury.

At Heritage Heights, we create goals and care plans for our residents that are tailored to their specific needs. We understand the health benefits of walking for seniors — and we strive to provide you or your loved one with the best possible experience every day. Contact us today to learn more.