Seniors & Staying Fit

by Christopher Jackson, JD

Staying active throughout life is important, but it becomes even more so as a senior. By continuing to remain active, seniors can help make themselves less susceptible to accidents and preventable injuries, while also increasing their overall wellness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have thoroughly documented the benefits of exercising including a reduced risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while also exhibiting overall improvements in mental health. To help further their goal of increasing physical activity among older adults, the CDC has partnered with Tufts University toprovide excellent online resources for seniors to utilize in increasing physical activity. The CDC provides these resources so that seniors can safely work to strengthen their bodies to prevent injuries and increase their overall wellness.

In addition to strengthening muscles, it is recommended that seniors exercise to promote flexibility and balance. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend a balanced approach to exercise because it helps seniors maintain their freedom of movement, while also preventing injuries. The NIH providesa detailed list and demonstrations of low impact flexibility exercises that can be used to increase flexibility. The NIH also provides resources and demonstrations of endurance, balance, and strength exercises to assist seniors with their exercise needs.

Exercising is important not just in preventing injuries, but also to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease. As always, it is important for seniors to consult with a doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. Consulting with a doctor will allow you to tailor your exercise routine to address any existing ailments or injuries.

Furthermore, Elder Law of Michigan has partnered with the State of Michigan, through the Michigan Nutrition Network, for Project Healthy Living. The goal of the program is to promote fruit and vegetable intake among seniors, while also increasing seniors’ activity levels. The project provides free courses at community centers and senior housing centers. For more information on the project, or to find out about participating, contact Char Brooks at 517-853-7182 or cbrooks@elderlawofmi.org.

Christopher Jackson is an attorney at Elder Law of Michigan, and has been a member of the Elder Law team since early 2014. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Indianapolis, and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 2013 from Michigan State University College of Law. As an attorney at Elder Law, Christopher provides legal advice to Michigan seniors on a wide-variety of areas, including estate planning, wills and trusts, Medicare/Medicaid, social security benefits, and insurance issues.