Hello, readers!
I just wanted to drop by and present you with another informative tidbit distributed by ICAA concerning seniors. It actually explores an aspect of life that seems to affect people’s lives during these times: SOARING GASOLINE PRICES, and how this negatively affects family visits to senior citizens.
To access the full document, click on the link below:
“http://www.icaa.cc/Newsletters/2008/ICAAResearchReview_8_21.htm”
Hello, readers!
I just wanted to drop by and present you with another informative tidbit distributed by ICAA concerning seniors. It actually explores the physical functioning of senior citizens, in fact associating this with mental, emotional, as well as other forms of functioning. It is meant to exhibit how physical activity can stimulate these factors!
To access the full document, click on the link below. Be aware that you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader or another form of software that reads “.pdf” files:
Hello again to all my faithful readers! This week I want to provide a bit of insight into the ICAA’s most recent Functional U, in which you will find many pointers on active living through exercise. Even though the focus is on people over 50, many of us below 50 can gain something from this reading as well. I would say that the most provocative section is on page 20, and is entitled “Choose to be Active.” This offers clientele the option of using 4 different types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. As you can see, these 4 types reference different physical areas of which you improve by engaging within the exercise regimen. To find details about all 4 types and much more, click on the reference link below:
Many issues seem to divert seniors from exercising properly. A lack of mobility is the most used excuse. However, the ICAA provides documentation from Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 19(4) (August 2007), which seems to tear down some of these barriers which make exercising over 70 feel taboo. The authors of the study found successful results, stating that “the results of the present study show that one year of combined exercise training is well-tolerated and improves aerobic capacity, performance on field tests and muscle strength in healthy subjects over 70 years old.”
At any rate, this is an interesting read, and it can be found at the link below:
Most seniors at and beyond the age of 65 seem to face another hurdle to progress. “Loss of mobility” is a major issue in seniors’ health, especially since this can lead to major disability. Not only this, lack of mobility can severely alter seniors’ perceptions regarding quality of life. This makes for a good read. You can access the link by using the instructions below.
You can access this resource by clicking on the source listing below:
When to Retire?
Greetings! Today’s topic is one of great interest to many seniors around the world. At what age should a person retire from the workforce? Of course, this entails further considerations, such as the involved person’s health, financial state, etc. In ICAA’s August 2007 Research Review, you can find a few factors and studies that will help answer that question. It will also aid you in making decisions based upon the criteria described. According to the article, more and more people are retiring later than age 55, mainly to acquire sources of health insurance and company-related retirement benefits. At any rate, this makes for an interesting read, especially since this means that more seniors are remaining active beyond the age of 55! Definitely food for thought.
Access the full article by clicking the source listed below:
Hello again! I find myself delving into the subject of seniors’ fitness, and have found another noteworthy article by one of Fit Express’ favorite sources and organizations, the International Council on Active Aging. This article discusses the eating and dietary habits of heart patients before, during, and after rehabilitation. The article highlights this study, which consists of 1,206 patients’ eating patterns during these phases of recovery, characterized as poor, fair, or good. During rehabilitation, it is no surprise that fear had humbled 91% into submission. However, the rate declined to a shocking 49% after a year, and then 42% after 3 years. I do believe that we, the consumers, must make better decisions, which obviously affect our health status in the long run. It is time that we heed such deadly warnings!
Check out the article at:
“For heart patients, healthy diet fades away over time” ICAA Research Review May 2006, Volume 6, No. 18
Hi, everyone! I found this article in the 30 June 2007 edition of www.rttnews.com. It seems to display Humana’s interest and emphasis on seniors’ fitness, and the importance of exercise in the lives of senior citizens. Read ahead:
Humana Sponsors Seniors Fitness Workout To Highlight Need For Physical Activity - Update [HUM]
6/30/2007 7:01:50 PM Humana Inc. (HUM) said Saturday Richard Simmons led the world’s largest senior-workout organized by the company during the 2007 National Senior Games at the Broadbent Arena in the Kentucky Exposition Center.
The event was held during the 2007 National Senior Games to highlight the need for physical activity among seniors, as well as to show them how easy it is to exercise. Simmons designed the workout to show seniors how to incorporate easy moves into their daily routines and not feel discouraged about complicated cardiovascular exercise.
The workout, which was customized by Simmons for this specific event, consisted of aerobic activities and exercises.
Humana said it has developed a fitness book with low-impact exercises to help seniors jump-start their fitness.
By Mary Ann Wilson, R.N.
“http://www.sitandbefit.com”
Mary Ann Wilson, R.N., is the originator and host of public television’s “Sit and Be Fit,” the gentle half hour exercise program for senior citizens. With her background as a registered nurse specializing in rehabilitation, post-polio care, and geriatrics, she is a recognized expert in the area of senior fitness.
As television producer and host of an exercise show specializing in fitness for the senior population and people with physical limitations, I am constantly asked for advice on how to keep functionally fit. Because Americans are living longer, we are concerned about retaining our youthful bounce and vigor. We all know the aging process brings about structural and functional changes to the body, but what exactly can we do to make the most of our middle and later years of life? The answer is easy: exercise, exercise, exercise.
We cannot stop Mother Nature’s clock, but we can slow it down. Many signs of aging are reversible. General physical activity, not just structured exercise, can help to promote major health benefits such as:
· Increased cardiovascular fitness by 20_25 percent
· Increased flexibility and muscle strength
· Decreased depression and anxiety
· Weight loss
· Lower blood pressure
· Dramatic reduction of the risk of heart disease
· Stronger immune system
· Prevention of bone loss
“Reprinted from Mature Fitness (formerly published as the Senior Fitness Bulletin) by permission of the American Senior Fitness Association (800) 243-1478.”
I found this noteworthy article regarding questions many seniors may have concerning fitness:
TAKING THE FIRST STEP
By Karl Knopf, Ed.D.
The following are answers to some commonly asked questions by older adults poised to embark on the trail to health and fitness.
Q. What is the secret to a satisfying retirement?
A. Most gerontologists agree that in addition to doing something that is both mentally and emotionally rewarding, following a sensible and regular physical exercise program is the key. If exercise could be packed into a pill, it would be one of the most widely prescribed medicines in the world. Unfortunately, although most Americans know that aerobic exercise is important for improving cardiovascular fitness and for losing fat, many neglect to stretch daily or to perform the two to three days per week of strength training that it takes to become truly fit. Also, most people don’t stay with an exercise program long enough to enjoy the benefits. Instead they start out too hard, get sore and quit, then later feel guilty for quitting and start up again too hard… and the cycle repeats itself!
It may help to know that in the fitness game, slow’n’steady wins the race!
Q. But I haven’t exercised in years. Isn’t it too late to start now?
A. Today, just as gender, social class or ethnic background does not preclude a person from enjoying and succeeding in sports or physical activity, neither should a person’s age.
Middle_aged persons should keep in mind that a fit 70_year_old who has remained active can be as strong as an unfit sedentary 30_year_old. In fact, an active person will decline physiologically only by about 1/2 percent per year compared to an inactive person who will decline by about 2 percent. If you are deconditioned, a rejuvenating exercise program can be tailored to meet your needs through modification and adaptation. Gaining access to the exercise “Fountain of Youth” is not very expensive, nor is it a painful process. For many, it is actually quite enjoyable. Remember, age is a state of mind!
Q. How many minutes per week should I exercise?
A. The optimal amount of time varies among individuals. It is dependent upon many factors such as type of activity, intensity level, and your goals and abilities.
Some interesting findings have surfaced from research conducted in recent years which suggests that more than 300 minutes of vigorous exercise per week may be counter_productive for many participants. Of course, there are various possible explanations for this. The bottom line is: More is not always necessarily better. Everything in moderation is the key to good health.
Q. How can I stick with my fitness program?
A. Most persons who drop out of exercise programs do so because they are not having fun. People will repeat those activities that are enjoyable.
It is not enough to know the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If it were, no one would smoke or drink to excess. People cling to unhealthy habits because they provide security and comfort. It follows that exercise, to be healthful, must be something that bears repeating. Therefore, we need to seek out physical activities that we will experience as pleasurable and satisfying. Many folks find that cross training __ that is, engaging in several different types of exercise activity each week __ helps them to maintain their enthusiasm. Some say they started exercising for wellness reasons but stuck with it for the friends they met, the improved self_esteem and extra energy they gained, and, yes, the fun they were having! Remember, the benefits of regular exercise may not show up overnight like plastic surgery. But if you really pay attention, you will see some changes very quickly!
“Reprinted from Mature Fitness (formerly published as the Senior Fitness Bulletin) by permission of the American Senior Fitness Association (800) 243-1478.”
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