How Yoga and Meditation Can Boost Elder Health and Wellness
Yoga and meditation has positive impacts on people of all ages, and some of these aspects are specifically beneficial for the elderly. Here, the home care and aging in place specialists at Avila Home Care explain how yoga and meditation can boost elder health and wellness.
Improving Balance and Stability
One of the biggest risks as we age is falling—they are the leading cause of death by injury in adults over 65. Yoga is a wonderful exercise for improving balance and core stability, which can go a long way to preventing falls. As for meditation, it can improve our emotional balance, helping us get through daily stresses with grace and a sense of calm.
Mitigating and Slowing the Effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, doubles every five years after age 65. While there is no cure for this condition, studies have shown that yoga and meditation can help improve symptoms, and slow the progression of the disease, boosting memory recollection, relaxation and a feeling of understanding. It can also help patients to socialize with friends, family and caregivers, preventing the sense of isolation many with this condition feel.
Reducing Stress and High Blood Pressure
Too much stress can lead to serious health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart attacks, and it is critical to find ways to reduce stress in our lives. Because yoga and meditation teach mindfulness and deep breathing, both have been well-documented to reduce oxidative stress, thus reducing high blood pressure.
Performing Yoga is Low-Impact and Accommodating
Yoga is a low-impact sport, meaning it will not take a heavy toll on bones, joints and tendons. This is wonderful for those who have achy joints, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other conditions. It is also a sport that can accommodate any skill or activity level—those who have difficulty standing can do floor poses, or even perform yoga from the comfort of a chair, and those who are more active can perform standing poses. Yoga is a sport for anyone of any ability.
Increasing the Efficacy of the Immune System
As we get older, our immune system becomes suppressed, and we become more susceptible to infectious diseases. Performing yoga and meditating reduces stress hormones and inflammation in the body, bolstering the immune system and preventing disease.
How Avila Home Care Can Help
Our dedicated caretakers are as diverse as our clients, and whether you desire someone to help with the cleaning, to socialize with, or even to practice yoga and meditation with, we’re sure to have a caretaker to meet all of your needs. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about aging in place and in-home caretaking, contact us today!
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Life, Liberty and Chemistry- Avila Client Margaret Sellmayer
Margaret Sellmayer has abundant wisdom and a quick wit to share with Avila in this feature story. A renowned chemist for decades, loyal to her family and friends, and a woman of deep faith, at 92 years old, Margaret is a remarkable Avila Home Care Client, as well as long-time Oak Crest Senior Living Community resident and an inductee into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
Margaret shares, “The secret to a long life is (1) faith in God and (2) a positive attitude- I have a lot to be grateful for; God is good!”