Top Tips to Promote Mobility as You Get Older

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Every stage of life should be an adventure and we believe aging should be fun.

Aging can be fun! The key to healthy aging is maintaining mobility and function that ensures you catch up with your friends, try new things, and continue doing what you love. At Turnagain Social Club, we provide day services for Alaska’s pioneers, and we believe every stage of life should be an adventure. Here are some activities you can try to keep moving, engage your brain, and have a good time along the way.

Talk to our friendly staff today to find out what activities we offer.

Physical Activities

Exercise is a great way to increase your mobility and maintain your independence. Whatever you can do to keep moving will not only benefit you physically, but also mentally.

  • Strength Training: Exercises such as lifting weights will help you build muscle and increases your metabolism. Stronger muscles reduce the risk of falls and promote long-term mobility.

  • Balance Exercises: Activities like yoga and Tai Chi lead will improve your stability. These exercises can also help with pain, joint stress, and other physical limitations.

  • Endurance Exercises: Aerobic exercises including walking, swimming, and biking will increase your heart rate and oxygen intake. By improving your stamina, you’ll be able to walk further and continue doing the everyday activities that you enjoy.

  • Stretching: Routine stretching will increase your freedom of movement. While stretching doesn’t build strength, it is an important part of any exercise routine to prevent injuries to muscles and joints. Stretching also improves circulation and blood flow.

Creative Activities

Engaging in creative activity can keep both your mind and body sharp.

  • Gardening: Gardening is a superb way to get outside and stay active. Digging in the dirt can help you relax and unwind. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy some beautiful flowers or tasty veggies! And you can still garden during Anchorage winters by starting up an indoor herb garden.

  • Dancing: Dancing is great for staying mobile and comes with social and mental perks. You can maintain balance, endurance, and coordination through regular dancing.

  • Arts & Crafts: Activities such as painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, pottery and many more can improve your hand movements. These are simple exercises that will strengthen the muscles in your hands and improve dexterity.

  • Play Games: Video games such as the Wii allow you to interact with the game by moving your body rather than manipulating a joystick. Games like Wii baseball, bowling, and tennis are easy, fun, and safe ways to stay moving.

Social Activities

Several activities are inherently social. Regular socialization can decrease stress and anxiety and help you avoid loneliness.

  • Family Time: There’s nothing like grandkids to keep you active and joyful. Quality time between seniors and grandchildren has been shown to have a number of physical, mental, and neurological benefits. Here are a few activity ideas for you to do with your grandchildren:

o   Infants and Toddlers: Take them for a walk in their stroller or play games like Hide-and-Seek and sing songs like Wheels on the Bus.

o   School-Aged Children: Build a fort together, push their swing at the park, or play a game of catch.

o   Teens and Adults: Try hiking, golfing, or tennis.

  • Pets: Owning a pet is good for you. Pets encourage you to get up and moving. They also provide comfort, help decrease stress levels, ward off depression, increase happiness, and even lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.

  • Join a Social Club: If socializing is a key motivator for you, join a club with other seniors. These environments bring a social aspect into activities that can help you build a healthier body while forging new relationships.

  • Volunteering: Volunteering is good for your body and mind. It can get you on your feet, reduce stress, combat depression, and provide a sense of purpose. When you volunteer, you tend to walk more, which can lessen symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the risk of heart disease.

To see how we can help you stay mobile, contact us online or give us a call today.