Participating in physical activity becomes increasingly important in the golden years, but some seniors prefer to avoid traditional exercise at all costs. Dancing is a wonderful alternative because it provides seniors with many of the same benefits as other exercises while encouraging them to have fun. Here are some of the physical, mental, and emotional benefits your elderly loved one can gain from dancing.
Better Balance & Other Physical Benefits
Seniors who participate in dancing tend to have better balance control than those who don’t dance. Those who dance often take longer strides, walk with a normal gait, have better posture, and have increased lower body strength, which may reduce the risk of falls. Seniors who dance also exhibit a higher level of “balance confidence,” meaning they’re more secure in their level of stability and are less afraid of falling.
Low-impact dancing also offers other physical benefits similar to those gained from aerobics or a brisk walk, including:
- Greater stamina
- Increased bone density and a reduced risk of osteoporosis
- Weight loss and a lower risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease
Even seniors who have mobility issues or health challenges can still get the benefits of exercise, especially with the help of trained professional caregivers. Home care service professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Enhanced Cognition
Dancing requires seniors to memorize movements and routines, which encourages the use of short-term memory. Over time and with repetition, the actions can become cemented in your loved one’s long-term memory and become a part of his or her normal movement patterns. For example, a 2010 study in Sweden showed long-term amateur dancers had better motor function, reaction times, and cognitive skills than nondancers.
Regular cognitive stimulation is especially important for an aging adult living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Roseville caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary home care services, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
Increased Socialization
Dancing can prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Regardless of whether your loved one prefers country line dancing or traditional ballroom dancing, these activities encourage fun and interaction between two or more people. There are also no winners or losers, and dances can be customized to suit your loved one’s unique personality and abilities.
Heightened Mood
Dancing is known to reduce levels of stress and tension, which can combat anxiety and depression. Your loved one is less likely to focus on personal problems when listening to great music and twirling around the dance floor. The physical activity and lighthearted fun of dancing also triggers the release of the neurotransmitters that naturally boost mood.
Seniors who need companionship and assistance with exercising safely can benefit from the help of professional caregivers. Roseville elderly home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at BeyondWell Home Care.