How Swimming Benefits Seniors in Boulder County, CO

At Visiting Angels, our home care specialists in Longmont, CO encourage clients to go swimming because of how beneficial this activity is for seniors’ health and well-being

You may have heard before that swimming can do wonders for our overall health. This is especially true for seniors, as maintaining physical activity becomes increasingly important in golden years. At Visiting Angels of Boulder County, our home care specialists understand the importance and benefits that swimming can provide for older adults and want to encourage your loved one to develop healthy habits.

Here are the top ten benefits of swimming and general water exercises for older adults:

1. Do more with less – One of the main reasons that make swimming so beneficial for older adults is the natural buoyancy of water, meaning it is not weight-bearing. By exercising in water, your mom or dad can reap all the benefits of a full-body workout without straining their joints, hips or knees too much. That is why our home care specialists frequently recommend swimming to those with conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis, joint issues or weight problems.
2. Strengthened muscles – Swimming in water provides a perfect combination of exercise and resistance training. Seniors who swim regularly can expect to increase their strength and tone their muscles.
3. Increased flexibility – Another thing that makes swimming so great is that it constantly puts the whole body through a broad range of motion. With swimming or aqua aerobics, your loved one can loosen their joints and ligaments and boost their overall flexibility in no time.
4. Improved heart health – Just like other aerobic exercises, swimming is an excellent way to build up endurance and improve one's cardiovascular health. Older adults who take up swimming can lower blood pressure, improve circulation and reduce the risk of heart and lung diseases significantly.
5. Weight control – If your mom or dad is overweight, swimming can help them burn calories and lose weight much faster. However, home care specialists suggest developing a sustainable weight control program before engaging in any strenuous activities. That's why in addition in helping seniors swim on a regular basis, we also offer meal planning and preparation services in order to help our clients eat healthy diets.
6. Reduced asthma symptoms – Because swimming can increase lung capacity and provide an opportunity to exercise in a moist environment, it is extremely beneficial for those with respiratory conditions, especially asthma.
7. Improved cholesterol – Swimming also helps keep cholesterol levels in check and contributes to the flexibility of the arteries. This results in better blood flow and reduces the chances of developing a number of cholesterol-induced health issues.
8. Decreased risk of diabetes – Once again, your loved one can maintain a healthy weight by swimming regularly. The end result – not only can they can have a stronger, healthier heart but ward off the risk of developing diabetes, a condition which is closely related to obesity.
9. Lower stress levels – Similar to yoga or meditation, swimming and water aerobics help us relax and blow off some steam. For this reason, water activities are ideal for exercising and reducing stress at the same time.
10. Increased life expectancy – A longitudinal study conducted at the University of South Carolina concluded that individuals who swam had a 50 percent lower death rate than those who ran, walked or got no exercise at all. Conclusion – swimming can significantly contribute to your loved one's vitality and longevity.

At Visiting Angels of Boulder County, we are dedicated to helping seniors continue to live independently at home. Our caregivers can take your loved one to local pools like Sunset Pool or to the Longmont Recreational Center to go swimming so they can improve their well-being and have the strength and vitality needed to safely and comfortably age in place.

Call our Longmont, CO office today and learn more about how our home care specialists can help your loved one improve their quality of life. We are here for you!

Visiting Angels home care specialists provide quality senior care services in Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.