Physical Activity Helps Manage Chronic Conditions

Wellness  |  September 13, 2023

Physical Activity Helps Seniors with Chronic Pain Manage Their Conditions

Physical Activity Helps Manage Chronic Conditions – One of the best actions seniors can take to combat chronic disease is to get moving. Today almost 92% of seniors have at least one chronic condition and 77% have at least two. Chronic conditions are costly and are major contributors to disability and loss of independence. The good news is that at least three of the four chronic conditions that account for the greatest percentages of deaths each year (heart disease, cancer, and type II diabetes) can be managed, mitigated, or even cured in some cases, by adding physician-prescribed and monitored exercise into the overall management program.

Fast Facts and Physcial Activity & Chronic Conditions

Diabetics have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease because of their bodies’ inability to process glucose adequately. Physical activity can reduce the risk of type II diabetes even when there is no weight loss.

Unfortunately, being physically active can be difficult in practice for seniors who have developed a chronic condition. What often happens is that the chronic condition leads to reduced activity, which in turn exacerbates the chronic condition or makes way for new chronic conditions to develop. Thus, a cycle initiates that leads to a greater loss of function and independence. Reversing this cycle requires trained medical professionals who can assess seniors’ physical abilities and prescribe a physical activity routine to help them get moving again.

Seniors who make a lifestyle change to include exercise are impressive

The physical results for seniors who make a lifestyle change to include exercise are impressive. Studies have shown that a regimen of 30 minutes a day, five days a week of moderate exercise reduces the risk of death for those with cardiovascular disease by 20% or more. Physical activity improves the lives of seniors with cardiovascular disease as well by reducing blood pressure, lowering heart rate, lowering cholesterol, and reducing overall body weight. In short, seniors who exercise even though they have cardiovascular disease may simply feel better.

Similar benefits have been found for those with type II diabetes. Exercise can help seniors with type II diabetes regulate their blood glucose, lipid, and blood pressure levels. Diabetics, more so than those with cardiovascular disease, gain a greater benefit from high-intensity exercise. Even doing short intervals of high-intensity exercises for 10 minutes three times a day, for five to seven days a week, can provide substantial health benefits, helping diabetics maintain optimal blood glucose and weight levels.

Reduce The Risks with Physical Activity

The risk of certain types of cancer, mainly, prostate, colon, and breast cancers, can be greatly reduced, or recurrence risks can be greatly lowered, by adopting a physically active lifestyle. Cancer patients and survivors can also benefit from increased survival rates and better overall well-being when they exercise regularly as part of their disease management program.

Related Article: The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue

Perhaps one of the best things family, friends, and caregivers can do to help seniors with chronic conditions get active is to support, and even join them, in physical activities. If you are unable to be there in person for your senior loved one, hiring an in-home caregiver can help. Caregivers can accompany seniors on walks, support and assist them as they complete medically prescribed exercise routines, and transport them to appointments and physical therapy to help them stay as healthy as possible.

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help!

Worried about the health and welfare of an elderly relative? Comfort Keepers® can make a difference. Our team of expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality Accredited Homecare: Happier, Healthier, and at Home!

Do you need Home Care in North Vancouver & West Vancouver for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® help seniors in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, along with the surrounding areas, to live happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes by providing quality, compassionate care, and safety technology solutions to preserve independence and contribute to a better life.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their quality of being empathetic. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. This is the kind of care that originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s individual requirements. Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting the Comfort Keepers North Vancouver and West Vancouver office.

Comfort Keepers, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services clearly demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

References

Booth, F.W., Roberts, C.K., and Laye, M.J. (April 2012). Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Compr Physiol., 2(2):1143-211. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c110025. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241367/.

Durstine, J.L., Gordon, B., Wang, Z. and Luo, X. (2013). Chronic disease and the link to physical activity. Journal of Sport and Health Science 2, pp. 3-11. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2012.07.009. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254612000701.

National Council on Aging. (n.d.). Chronic disease self-management: Fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.ncoa.org/press-room/fact-sheets/chronic-disease.html.

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