Physical activity plays an important role in health, well-being and quality of life.

These tips will help seniors improve and maintain health by being physically active every day. Take part in at least 2.5 hours of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. Spread out the activities into sessions of 10 minutes or more. It’s beneficial to add muscle and bone strengthening activities using major muscle groups at least twice a week. This will help posture and balance.

Tips to help seniors get active: find an activity you like such as swimming or cycling; minutes count — increase activity level 10 minutes at a time, every little bit helps; active time can be social time — look for group activities or classes in the community, or get family or friends to be active as well; walk wherever and whenever you can; take the stairs instead of the elevator, when possible; carry your groceries home; start slowly; listen to your body; every step counts.

These are the health benefits of being active: improve balance; reduce falls and injuries; stay independent longer; help prevent heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and premature death. Aerobic activity, like pushing a lawn mower, taking a dance class, or biking to the store, is continuous movement that makes people feel warm and breathe deeply. Strengthening activity, like lifting weights or yoga, keeps muscles and bones strong and prevents bone loss. It will also improve balance and posture. Every step counts! If you’re not active now, adding any amount of physical activity can bring some health benefits. Take a step in the right direction. Start now and slowly increase your physical activity to meet the recommendations. More physical activity provides greater health benefits. That means the more you do, the better you’ll feel. Get active and see what you can accomplish. Move more.

If you haven’t already done so check out the online webinars and on-the-phone programming offered by Community Care for Seniors. We also have some online exercise and activity programs taking place every morning. Also coming up in April you can attend events with the following titles: Maple Memories; Macaulay House Virtual Tour; Early Spring Insects; Construction of the Murray Canal; Days Past in Prince Edward County; Picton Model Railroaders; Better Business Bureau Frauds & Scams; the Prince Edward County Railway; Cooking with the Chefs from the Wellings; Know Your Rx, Medication and Aging; The Garden County of Canada; Tickle Your Funny Bone; The Joy of Watercolour Journaling Workshop; Tai Chi; Lakeshore Lodge Remembered.

This is just what’s on in April!

Check the Activity Calendar on the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org.

-Debbie MacDonald Moynes