An exercise program can do wonders for your body and mind, but with so many different types of exercise programs out there, it can be hard to know which one will be best suited to your needs. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice strength and muscle mass as you age—you need to make sure that you stay active and include therapeutic exercises in your routine. It’s easy to do therapeutic exercises anywhere, even at home or in your apartment or condo, so you have no excuse to start today! Here are three of the best types of therapeutic exercises for Golden-age adults.
Physical Therapy
Occupational therapy is a form of therapy that’s done to help people who are recovering from a disease or injury, like strokes and back injuries. Occupational therapists help patients relearn basic skills—like eating and walking—and use therapeutic exercises in their work. Some of these exercises are easy to do at home, while others require an occupational therapist or other medical professionals. If you have a family member who’s just been admitted to a nursing home, it may be time to learn more about occupational therapy exercises and how you can use them with your loved one.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy involves evaluating a person’s ability to perform certain tasks and then teaching them how to do those tasks through therapeutic exercises. The occupational therapist will also show Golden-age adults how new skills can be carried over into everyday life activities. Occupational therapy is based on the idea that a patient should become as independent as possible in daily living and movement—not just for their own sake, but for loved ones who are also affected by their condition or illness. Occupational therapists treat patients with a wide range of conditions, from stroke victims and spinal cord injuries to Parkinson’s disease. They have experience working with Alzheimer’s patients and children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is one of many therapeutic exercises that can be highly beneficial for aging family members. Many golden-age adults have health conditions or injuries that limit their ability to communicate with others. Speech therapy can help make them more comfortable and confident when speaking with other people. It can also improve their quality of life in general, as they will feel more comfortable talking to family members, doctors, nurses, and friends. A speech-language pathologist performs speech therapy, identifies problems, and provides treatment to improve communication skills.
Endurance training
Endurance training increases your heart rate and breathing, strengthening your muscles and improving your metabolism. It is beneficial for those trying to lose weight and improve their physical fitness. Low-impact aerobic exercises such as walking or jogging are excellent for starting with endurance training. To prevent injuries, wear supportive shoes or running shoes that have good ankle support when you’re walking or jogging on flat surfaces, treadmills, elliptical machines, or in swimming pools. Warm-up before each activity by doing light stretching, so you don’t hurt yourself by performing too much too soon. Start slow; go for short sessions at first, gradually increasing them until you can do more than 30 minutes at a time without resting.
