Seniors Active, Seniors Healthy!
- jerronnlim
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 30
As Singapore celebrates it's 60th birthday, Sports SG (SSG) is launching a Get Active! campaign which highlights the importance of staying healthy and keeping fit for the elderly in Singapore. This initiative hopes to encourage seniors to engage in regular exercise or physical activities, which promotes a more better physical and mental well-being amongst seniors in Singapore.
Why the need to stay healthy?
Research done by Health Promotion Board (HPB) reveals that regular exercise is not just a way to keep fit - it is also a way for seniors in Singapore to lead a more healthy and independent life. These benefits could include:
Improve physical health
Maintain independence
Reduce the risk of chronic conditions
Enhance mental well-being
Regular exercise strengthens muscles, enhances flexibility and boost cardiovascular health to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. According to a research done by ActiveSG, regular exercise helps seniors reduce the risk of fall and help maintain walking ability due to the lost of muscle mass due to ageing and decreased physical activity.
Regular exercise also helps to combat against depression, reduce anxiety and feelings of isolation. According to a study done by St Luke's Hospital Singapore, regular exercise help to stimulate brain activity, delaying and slowing the progression of cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Simple ways for seniors to stay healthy
There are many ways for seniors to partake in regular exercise daily and stay fit. You may also refer here to find out more ways to stay fit!
Go for regular walks
Regular walks and brisk walking help to boost muscle endurance and can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and coronary heart disease, according to HealthHubSG. You can even make walking as a physical exercise to be fun and enjoyable. Walk along park connectors and take in the scenic route, invite a friend, family member or someone you know like your neighbour to come along which further develops a strong bond and relationship. Have a pet? Bring it along to spend time together!
Tai Chi
According to a study done by seniorcare sg, tai chi can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, enhancing concentration and focus. Tai Chi can also bring about and develop new friendships with other seniors in the same group, encouraging interaction between each other. Tai Chi also enhances physical performance and safeguards against stiffness and discomfort.
Video on a group of seniors doing Tai Chi at National Stadium. Video by: Tajiquan SG on YouTube All in all, there are many ways for seniors to stay fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle in Singapore. ActiveSG, a national movement by Sports Sg, has a wide variety range of choices for seniors to sign up for different programmes and classes that will help maintain their healthy lifestyle. Click below to find out more!
https://www.activesgcircle.gov.sg/activehealth/seniors/programmes
How can caregivers provide support?
According to HealthHub SG, there are many creative ways to get seniors out the house to move around.
Invite Seniors to Tag Along to Run Errands
Invite seniors to come along to run errands, such as going to the supermarket like FairPrice, Giant etc. This encourages them to not only spend time together and forge a stronger relationship, it also allows them to get out of the house to walk and exercise!
Have a Pet? Bring it along for a walk!
Having a pet at home creates even more opportunities, bring the pet along and ask them to come along together to go for a walk, a run, etc!
There are plenty of creative ways that can encourage a senior to stay fit, sometimes even at the comfort of your own home with equipment!
https://nuhsplus.edu.sg/article/easy-ways-to-make-exercise-a-way-of-life-for-seniors
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