60 The QUEE NS Courier • health • may 7, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com ▶health Wellness and Aging: Part II The importance of exercise Last month in my article entitled “Wellness and Aging, Part I” I focused on “wellness” as a way of adapting to various changes in our lives, but at the same time, striving to promote independence through lifestyle techniques that can enhance us in our later years. In Part II, I wish to expand on those techniques that have proven to offer healthier benefits to the aging population. Education is helpful for dealing with specific issues that the elderly face, such as multiple illnesses, pain or recovery from surgery. Information to assist the older person with lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and weight control, results in better breathing, conservation of energy, improved posture and simplification of daily activities, all vital aspects for living a healthier and productive life. Experts in the wellness industry have repeatedly proven that exercise helps seniors to stay healthier, longer. An appropriate exercise program offers numerous benefits including 1) improved general health and well-being, 2) increased cardiovascular endurance, 3) enhanced joint flexibility, 4) increased physical activity, and 5) enhanced social connectivity. Exercise, in essence, helps seniors remain active by allowing them to take a measure of control over their physical health and it helps them maintain the highest level of functioning. Exercise programs can involve the following: • Strength exercises to build muscle and increase metabolism • Endurance exercises to increase breathing, heart rate • Improved stamina to deal with and/or prevent heart problems • Balance exercises to help prevent falls • Flexibility and stretching exercises to keep the body limber. For the elderly, loss of physical strength and flexibility are serious problems because both are needed to perform daily activities. As we age, inactivity causes loss of muscle mass, strength, endurance and balance. Eventually that loss takes a toll reducing an older person’s ability to perform functions on their own, which in turn requires dependence on others and, for many, a loss of quality of life. Wellness not only encompasses physical health but emotional health as well. The things that make for a good life are largely consistent with our whole life. It doesn’t change with age! Geriatric experts believe that mental health is closely tied to physical health and that even mild depression can prematurely disable an individual. In next month’s final installment entitled “Wellness and Aging, Part III,” I will be focusing on mental health in aging and what current research states about boredom as a hurdle to successful aging. Sheldon Ornstein Ed.D, RN Dr. Sheldon Ornstein is a registered professional nurse with a doctoral degree in Nursing Organization. He has specialized in the care of older adults and has published many articles on the subject. He has done post-graduate work in gerontology and has taught at several universities. In 2013, he was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame at Teachers College, Columbia University.
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