The Benefits of Swimming for Seniors in Annapolis, MD

If your elderly loved one in Annapolis, MD is looking for a fun and low-stress form of exercise, our companion caregivers can take them to local pools or community centers to go swimming or participate in water-related aerobics

Whether your loved one needs to lose weight, increase their muscle tone or improve their flexibility, swimming is a great option. This aerobic exercise is beneficial even for seniors who suffer from arthritis or asthma.

At Visiting Angels Annapolis, our companion caregivers can take your loved one to the local pool and keep an eye on them while your parent gets some exercise. Some fun local areas that are great for swimming include the Truxtun Park Pool, the Crofton Village Pool or the Severna Park Community Center.

Here are just some of the ways older adults can benefit from water exercises:

It doesn’t put stress on joints

Some regular exercises such as running put stress on joints and can even do more damage than good. However, even if your loved one suffers from arthritis or any other condition that causes joint pain, they can still enjoy swimming. Since most of the weight is supported by water, your parent can exercise in a pool or a lake without worrying that their weight will damage their joints.

Swimming increases muscle tone

This full-body exercise will tone your loved one’s muscles keeping them strong and healthy.

It improves flexibility

As we age, our flexibility declines. A lot of seniors have a problem with loosening up their joints in the morning, such as ankles, hips, and shoulders. However, swimming is a great way to increase one’s flexibility.

It prevents heart disease

Your loved one's cardiovascular system can greatly benefit from swimming. If your parent wants to significantly reduce their chances of having coronary heart disease, they should swim for 30 minutes on a daily basis.

It burns calories

Swimming is a form of aerobic exercise that burns calories and helps seniors lose weight. However, if your loved one wants to lose pounds they should combine swimming with a healthy diet and make sure they maintain calorie intake. Our companion caregivers can prepare nutritious meals prescribed by a nutritionist.

It reduces asthma symptoms

Swimming in an indoor pool is great for seniors who suffer from asthma. The pool produces moist air which can help reduce exercise-induced asthma. In addition, exercise, in general, improves breathing by increasing one's lung capacity.

Swimming keeps cholesterol levels under control

This aerobic exercise improves the flexibility of the arteries. Flexible arteries improve the blood flow, which reduces the chances of cholesterol causing problems in the arteries. Our companion caregivers can encourage your loved one to take up swimming and provide transportation services whenever needed.

It lowers the risk of diabetes

It is a known fact that overweight people are more prone to contracting diabetes. Since swimming is a great way to lose weight, it also reduces the possibility of developing diabetes.

At Visiting Angels Annapolis, our goal is to help seniors throughout Annapolis, Millersville, Glen Burnie, Arnold, Pasadena and surrounding Maryland communities maintain their independence by improving their health and well-being. We can help your loved one age in place for as long as they wish.

To learn more about how our companion caregivers can help your loved one, contact our Millersville, MD office today.