It’s summer! Who wouldn’t want to be lounging by the pool all day? During this season, many families find themselves spending the day splashing in the water and soaking up some rays. This activity is great for the eldery too! Spending time in and around the pool has many benefits for the aging.

6 Benefits Of Swimming For Seniors

1. Low-Impact Exercise – Being in the water is one way to exercise with low-impact and not bearing any weight. There is no pressure on critical parts of your body. The weightless feeling you have in the water is a result of gravity which can reduce pressure in strained areas. Swimming can be specifically helpful for an individual if they have arthritis or fibromyalgia. Swimming can relieve pain and it’s just plain fun!
2. Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion – The buoyancy of water helps in other ways, too. By reducing the ordinary strain on joints, swimmers are able to move their limbs and joints through the full range of motion more easily in the water. Using the full range of motion regularly helps to keep joints supple and improves flexibility, an important factor for older adults’ health and well-being. For seniors with a limited range of motion on land, stretching in the water is a good way to improve flexibility.
3. Improves Stability – Because swimming can work so many of the major muscle groups, it helps build endurance in the body. Building strength and endurance is a great way to improve posture and stability. This reduces the risk of falling. One study conducted in Australia evaluated 1,700 men age 70 and older and found that those who swam were 33% less likely to fall compared to men who did not swim.
4. Promotes Cardio-vascular Health – Swimming for just 30 minutes a day, can vastly reduce the risk of coronary as well as type 2 diabetes. Regular aerobic exercise, such as swimming, reduces blood pressure and helps to raise good cholesterol levels.
5. Improves Sleep – It is a proven fact that physical activity leads to better sleep. The exhaustion from the day can quickly catch up with you at night. Because swimming is a demanding exercise that burns a lot of calories and works all the major muscle groups, older adults will feel physically tired after a swim. Many people also say that swimming leaves them feeling relaxed, which is also a necessary ingredient for a good night’s sleep.
6. Encourages Socialization – The pool is usually a place to meet other people. It’s a great place to strike up a conversation with new people. Senior swimming programs or group water exercise classes provide opportunities for seniors to socialize and meet new people. Because it’s easier for seniors with conditions such as arthritis to participate in swimming compared to other exercises, older adults may be more likely to stick with group swimming lessons.

Swimming can have many benefits for those who are older. It seems like the perfect summer activity to do! Orchard at Brookhaven is a luxury senior living community in Atlanta that offers a multitude of physical activities for our residents. Please contact us to get more information about our activity programs.