A recent study conducted in Argentina declared that 17 percent of all cardiovascular disease related deaths came about because of physical inactivity. This conclusion was reached by looking at mortality information from 2010 information looked at by the Ministry of Health. They did look at data of those 30 years of age and older, but it stands to reason that the older we get, the more likely these issues are to have a strong impact upon our lives. More years of inactivity lead to even more powerful health issues, and cardiovascular disease is strongly tied to this concept. The more we exercise and the fitter we are now, the healthier we are likely to be later on in life.
Many doctors in Argentina believe that insufficient advice is given to their patients when explaining the health benefits of staying physically fit. This is similar to what many people in the United States experience, especially elderly folk. Most people within younger generations are taught early on in school that exercise is an important part of being healthy. However, this isn’t necessarily the case among older Americans. These people may need extra guidance when it comes to being more physically fit, and the fact that they are elderly makes this a lot more difficult to achieve.
All of this emphasizes how important it is that we stay active when we are young. If you have an elderly loved one that would benefit from more exercise, it can be difficult to get them started. However, there are many activities out there that are senior friendly. Working with a doctor to help you and your loved one pick what is best for them will be a valuable step in the right direction. Much of the damage of inactivity might already be done, but if you can do something, it will benefit your far more than keeping on doing nothing. Many exercises for the elderly are easier when the help of a professional in-home caregiver is present. That’s certainly not a requirement for exercise, but it can provide a safety net so there are fewer concerns about exercising to begin with.
In the United States, the government recommends that people get about 30 minutes of activity every day. It doesn’t have to be grueling, but it should be something that slightly elevates the heart rate, like walking. It doesn’t even need to be strictly labeled as “exercise.” Things like using a walk-behind lawnmower or raking leaves would also qualify in most instances. All that matters is that your body is moving and that you are working a little bit.
For seniors, the exercise needs to be scaled to what their physical abilities are. It would be silly to ask someone in a wheelchair to go run a mile. This is an extreme example, but it can be applied to any situation. The exercise must fit their abilities. Working with a doctor to figure out what this means is a prudent way to proceed so that injuries and worsened health problems can be avoided.
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