Staying Flexible: Tips for Aging Seniors

For senior citizens, staying flexible is often a key to freedom and independence. With flexibility, seniors can move about easier. They have less trouble bending down to pick things up, sitting in chairs and even going for walks to enjoy nature and the outdoors. Aging unfortunately brings with it stiffer joints, and less flexibility, which is why working on flexibility is important for senior citizens. Working on flexibility can help improve balance, reduce injuries and mean less pains that go along with aging. Here are some tips for maintaining and increasing flexibility in senior citizens.

Move, Move, Move

One of the best ways to maintain flexibility is to keep moving. The more we sit, the more we lose our flexibility. Often when we get older, we start to spend more time indoors, or sitting. Being sedentary can lead to reduced flexibility. The best way to get that back and to keep improving upon it is to keep moving, experts say.

Walking

Believe it or not, just increasing the amount we walk can increase our flexibility, studies have shown. Movement doesn’t have to be strenuous, and even continuing to walk can help. Walking further each day on a daily walk can help the body be more flexible. Standing for longer periods of time as you’re moving about the home, or cooking in the kitchen, also can help. Even parking further away at the grocery store and walking those extra steps can help. Try to play with your strides. Take larger steps, or smaller steps and see what works for you.

Stretching

Actively stretching the body can increase flexibility. Yoga is great for flexibility. But so is doing simple exercises at home, such as touching your toes, and stretching your arms out. Even stretching in bed before you get up can help. Make sure you warm up your muscles before you begin an active stretching routine so as not to cause any damage. There are many stretches that are especially targeted toward senior citizens. You can find many videos online on stretching and even beginning yoga. If you’re up for a new adventure, head into Houston, where you can find free outdoor yoga classes and more at Discovery Green.

Jump In

One of the best ways to increase flexibility, while also protecting the joints that can become painful as we age, is getting in the water. Swimming itself helps to lengthen muscles and keep them fit. However, you actually even need to swim laps for flexibility. Even doing lunges in a warmer pool, or walking back and forth in the water can help with flexibility. It is a great way for people who are already suffering from joint pain to exercise without some of the pain they may encounter on concrete outside. Water aerobics are a fun way to work on your flexibility and strength with a group, while also maintaining your activity and fitness level.

More Fun

There are several more ways to increase flexibility just in everyday life. Some people love to use the kitchen counter to help them exercise. It is the perfect height to grab onto and get into a squatting position, or even to hold onto while lifting your legs. Turning on music, and doing arm circles to the beat, head rolls and dancing around can help keep you moving and increase flexibility. Exercise videos, especially on YouTube, are a great resource. Why not turn on a video and learn some tai chi or the latest dance craze. Try to learn the newest TikTok dance moves and impress the grandkids. If you’re more of an in-person learner, you can head down to the senior center, or any of the gyms in the area, which offer classes in martial arts, dancing and even kick boxing. On Saturdays at Discovery Center, you can take free Tai Chi classes at part of a Fitness in the Park initiative at Hess Patio Deck. There you will find people of all ages learning and working on their flexibility and fitness just like you.

Here to Help

If you are looking for someone to help the seniors in your life with anything from companionship to steadying them as they walk, our caregivers at Visiting Angels Webster can help. Our trained caregivers offer a variety of services, including companion care, personal care, respite care and care for seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. We will meet with you to learn your needs, and tailor our care plans to your senior’s needs.

Our providers serve seniors in Southeast Houston and the Bay Area Communities, including El Lago, Webster, Pearland, Friendswood, Kemah, League City, Dickinson, Taylor Lake Village, Deer Park, Pasadena, Seabrook, San Leon, Texas City, Clear Lake Shores and Brookside Village. Call us at 832-632-2273 for more information.

If you are interested in caring for senior clients in the community, visit us online to find out more about a career in home care.