Better Health 25 Eng

ACTIVE AT EVERY AGE
Exercise is the key to
healthier retirement years
Seniors who exercise can look forward to the rewards of
active living: longer, healthier lives and fewer threats
of serious illness.
Retirement is supposed to be the beginning of a more
carefree stage of life, as the responsibilities of career
and raising children give way to freedom and free time
to pursue favorite hobbies, travel to new places and devotion to
grandchildren. But retirement reality often turns out quite
different; many seniors spend more time with their doctors than
their grandkids as they deal with frequent health problems,
bouts of depression or declining cognitive abilities.
While most people
have gotten the message
about the numerous
health benefits of
regular exercise, not
everyone takes the
message seriously
enough to give up their
sedentary ways.
Seniors have as much
to gain from exercise
as any age group, but
they can be tough to
convince, and they have
more reasons and
excuses, legitimate and
otherwise, for not exercising – difficulty walking, feeling
tired, stiffness of the joints, aches and pains, to name a few.
Staying mobile
According to Dr. Suthee Siriwechdaruk, a board certified
specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at
Bumrungrad, exercise is a proven way to strengthen disease
prevention, promote healing and slow or reverse damage
brought on by the aging process and other causes.
Though they may have the most to gain from physical
activity, seniors often require more of a push to exercise
as their physical condition may be less than optimal.
“Senior adults may need some encouragement to become
motivated to start exercising,” says Dr. Suthee. “Helping
them understand the benefits of exercise and the risks of
inactivity is enough motivation for many seniors to make
the difference. Having reduced mobility doesn’t mean you
can’t exercise – it’s a good reminder of the need to exercise
so you can pursue a happier, healthier senior life with the
freedom to go where you want and take part in activities
that make you happy.”
Our body’s mobility
during our senior years
“
Seniors should include
exercises targeting
different areas of the
body, and be sure their
exercise routine is ‘slow
but consistent’ and ‘low
resistance’.”
Dr. Suthee Siriwechdaruk
can be affected by a
number of factors: the
aging process; chronic
diseases such as diabetes
that lead to artery damage,
impaired vision, inflam-
mation of bones and joints;
muscle weakness or
muscle atrophy due to
nutritional deficiencies
and lack of exercise; and
balance and coordination
problems including
feinting spells, dizziness
and disorientation that are more likely to affect stroke victims
and those with Parkinson’s or other diseases.
Dr. Suthee stresses that exercise should be considered
a necessity instead of something optional. “Exercise is a
must because it provides so many health benefits,” he says.
“For seniors, exercise increases joint mobility, builds
muscle strength, improves balance and coordination, and
boosts heart and lung function. Seniors with joint stiffness
can quickly see results from specific joint exercises. Regular
aerobic exercise helps diabetes patients burn calories more
efficiently and lowers the amount of sugar and fat in the
blood. Some diabetic seniors achieve such dramatic results
from exercise that their disease can be managed without
the need for medication.”