The Health Benefits of Swimming for Seniors in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

Swimming is a fun, low-stress and healthy activity for older adults. Our companion care providers in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Marina, CA can help your loved one incorporate swimming into their daily routine.

Older adults often face age-related challenges that can interfere with their desire to lead a physically active lifestyle.

However, there is an activity that is widely regarded as one of the best senior-friendly exercises – swimming. And it comes with a multitude of health benefits too. If you are a family caregiver, read this article to learn why our companion care providers at Visiting Angels Central Coast recommend swimming for seniors.

Here's How Swimming Can Improve Your Loved One's Health

Swimming and other water activities can help your loved one:

• Get better results with less – Because of the buoyant properties of water, swimming and water aerobics are safer and less strenuous alternatives to jogging or going to the gym. Water significantly reduces the weight-bearing effect on our bodies and is much easier on the age-worn joints, hips, or knees. For this reason, most companion care providers recommend swimming as an ideal senior-friendly exercise, especially for those who are overweight or have joint issues.
• Increase muscle tone – Another thing that makes swimming so beneficial is that it is a great form of resistance training for the whole body. Older adults who swim regularly can strengthen their muscles and have more energy for their daily activities.
• Improve flexibility – In addition to toning the muscles, water activities greatly add to one's flexibility. As swimming constantly puts the whole body through a wide range of motion, it is not very surprising that those who swim regularly enjoy a higher level of flexibility.
• Boost heart health – Swimming is an aerobic exercise, meaning it can strengthen the heart, lower blood pressure and help promote circulation. With just 30 minutes in the pool each day, your loved one can boost their cardiovascular health and minimize the risk of various heart diseases.
• Maintain a healthy weight – Of course, swimming is great for losing weight too. As an aerobic exercise, it helps our bodies to burn calories much faster. That is why swimming is often recommended for older adults with weight problems. Our companion care providers can also help your loved one maintain a healthy weight in other ways, like helping them prepare nutritious meals.
• Reduce asthma symptoms – Not only can swimming help increase our lung capacity, but it can be greatly beneficial for those who suffer from asthma. Exercising in a moist environment can ward off asthma attacks, reduce symptoms, and help improve the overall condition.
• Improve cholesterol levels – Activities such as aqua aerobics and swimming keep cholesterol levels in check by improving the blood flow and flexibility of the arteries.
• Minimize risk of diabetes – All aerobic exercises, and swimming especially, help maintain a healthy weight, thus reducing the risk of diabetes - a condition that is closely connected to obesity.
• Lower stress levels – Much like yoga or meditation, swimming is a great way to let go of unwanted stress. Actually, one of swimming's most pleasant side effects is that it releases feel-good hormones called endorphins that make us feel happy and relaxed.
• Live longer – Yes, it is true. Swimming can literally help your mom or dad live longer. A study conducted over 32 years at the University of South Carolina discovered that those who regularly swam had a 50 percent lower death rate compared to runners, walkers, as well as those who led an inactive lifestyle.

At Visiting Angels Central Coast, our companion care services include accompanying seniors to pools and other swimming areas so they can get the exercise they need. If your loved one lives in Santa Cruz County, our caregivers can take them to the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Capitola City Beach is also a great place to go swimming – and if your loved one is a proud dog owner, it’s also a great place for their furry companion! If your loved one lives in Monterey County, our Angel companions can accompany your loved one to Lovers Point or the Salinas Aquatic Center for some fun water-based activities. Our goal is to help your loved one be as comfortably, healthy and happy as possible so they can continue to live independently.

If you're interested in how companion care from Visiting Angels Central Coast can help your loved one, contact our Scotts Valley or Marina, CA office today!