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By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
While the stay-at-home directives for combating the spread of the coronavirus may have disrupted normal fitness routines through the closures of gyms, parks, and other common exercise locations, there are still plenty of work out options available when it comes to sheltering-in-place. In particular many gyms and work-out classes are being freely livestreamed or posted on-line through related websites and social media. This includes many courses and other options that would normally be available through paid registration only.
Here are a sampling of free livestreams, on demand videos, and other offerings to cover a wide range of solo & group exercise options including yoga, dance, body weight training, as well as aerobics & other general fitness.
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By Kaki Zell
You know that exercise is good for your body — but did you know that it’s good for your brain as well? Yep, exercise has two-for-one benefits, which is all the more reason to start working out if you don’t already. Here are six exercises that will benefit both your body and your mind.
By Kaki Zell
As they grow older and retire, many seniors find themselves living on a more limited income, and they cut costs by eliminating “extra” items such as gym memberships. However, if you’re a senior who has health insurance (whether that’s through Medicaid or another program), the chances are good that you’ll qualify for one of these two free fitness programs: SilverSneakers and Silver&Fit. Below, we explain how these programs work and the benefits they offer seniors and then cover fitness tips for exercising safely as an aging adult.
By Chris H
Looking to improve the health of your joints without your arthritis flaring up? Swimming might be just what the doctor ordered. Swimming works every muscle in the body and helps you maintain your joints without the dreaded joint pain. If you’re nervous or skeptical about getting in your backyard pool, remember that swimming is one of the best exercises you can do for your joints. You’ll lose weight, build muscle and reduce joint pain. The alternative, sitting still and not exercising at all, will only make your joint pain worse. Learn more about how swimming improves joint health.
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Here are a selection of cross platform apps available for both iOS and Android that have a particular focus on senior fitness. Apps include overall workout and healthy living for those age 50+, gentle exercises suitable for beginners and seniors alike, exercises specifically tweaked for those with limited mobility or balance issues, as well as a smattering of apps on particular styles of exercises that are well known for being beneficial to the elderly such as qigong and tai chi.
Prices range from the completely free, to one time in app purchases, to those that require the use of other equipment in conjunction with the app or otherwise require renewing subscriptions. Cross Platform Apps
Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong & Other General Fitness Apps for the Elderly - Part 1 - Android Exclusives6/21/2018
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Here are a selection of Android exclusive exercise apps suitable for phones or tablets that are specifically targeted towards the elderly. In comparison to general fitness apps, these exercises are overall gentler, put less stress on joints, focus on senior relevant topics such as balance, arthritis, and limited range of movement. Many of these exercises can also be completed while remaining sitting for those seniors who may be wheelchair bound or otherwise have trouble standing for extended lengths of time.
In comparison to iOS exclusive or cross platform apps, these Android fitness apps tend to be completely free or free with ads or in-app premium content purchases. Android Apps
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder whereby a body's immune system targets its own body tissues, particularly joint linings. The skin, heart, lungs, eyes, blood vessels, and nerves may also be targeted. RA distinguishes itself from other types of arthritis by symmetrically affecting both joints on both sides of the body at the same time (ie both wrists, both knees, both elbows). Rheumatoid arthritis often first manifests in smaller joints such as fingers & toes and can eventually degenerate into bone & cartilage erosion and complete joint deformity.
Symptoms of RA vary in severity and can fall into remission or flare-up in increased bouts of disease activity. These symptoms can include swelling, warmth, & pain in the joints, fatigue, and stiffness after long periods of rest or inactivity. Risk factors for RA include gender (with females more likely to develop it), family history of RA, environmental influences such as smoking, asbestos, and silica, as well as age. While RA can occur at any age, most people affected are between the ages of 40 and 60. Currently nearly 1% of the American population (~1 million people) are affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Below are a selection of smartphone apps for both iOS & Android that are specifically tailored to help with the rheumatoid variety of arthritis. Many take the form of management & disease tracking tools that are also helpful for producing disease data for the user's healthcare providers, give general information, support, nutritional advice, physiotherapy & exercise routines, or act as overviews & guides to RA. While generally there are more rheumatoid arthritis focused apps available on the Android platform, there are still a good selection of cross-platform entries that will also work on iOS. Apps
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Osteoarthritis is the most commonly found chronic condition afflicting the joints of the body where the cartilage between the joints breaks down. The chances of it developing increases with age with a greater proportion occurring in people over 60. However, it can also develop in those younger, particularly those who have other joint injuries or repetitive stress in the joint area. Symptoms include soreness in the joints (particularly pain after either extended bouts of movement or inactivity), stiffness that increases with rest (such as in the morning after a night's sleep), as well as bony enlargements or swelling in the joints.
Here are a selection of apps that focus specifically on the osteoarthritis version of arthritis including overall comprehensive guides, tips & advice regarding symptoms, treatments, and dietary prevention, as well as a selection of exercise & rehabilitation programs. Apps
By Anna Hazard
View the Rest of the SeriesIntroduction
Arthritis is an umbrella term for a conglomeration of diseases & conditions that afflict the joints of the body. Due to its nature of inflammation of the joint, the most common arthritis symptoms are pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased range of motion in the joint. With over 100 different varieties of arthritis, it is the leading cause of disability in America. While often associated with aging due to the proliferation of osteoarthritis, the various forms of arthritis can occur at any age through all genders & races.
Due to it's widespread occurrence, many smartphone apps have cropped up that have arthritis as their chief focus. Here are a selection of apps for both iOS & Android that are meant to help deal with arthritis & joint inflammation in general instead of focusing on one particular type (such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the two most common varieties). Since smartphones can be easily incorporated into exercise routines & are usually carried around wherever the user may go, these particular apps tend to focus on exercise routines to help mitigate pain or otherwise act as general founts of knowledge as overall guides or by providing easy access to other references (such as arthritis magazines or video selections). Apps
By Anna Hazard
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Part 2 - Diet & Allergies
Introduction
With the advent of spring and more welcoming weather, people are coming out of their own inside hibernation during the past winter months. Now that the temperatures are more co-operative, seniors as well should take advantage of the chances for outside exercise, as the greater exposure to sunlight helps in the production of Vitamin D, something that the body produces less and less efficiently as one ages and which can often fall below the healthy threshold for seniors during winter months.
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AboutNews updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care. |
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