Young Heart

A little exercise every day can help you stay active and healthy. But if you haven't been exercising regularly, it's not a good idea to suddenly start exercising at a high intensity. You might injure yourself or overdo it. The best way to ease into exercise for older adults is to make small changes in your daily routine — walk more, do some lightweight training, or try an exercise class designed for seniors. Older adults should get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week Older adults who are healthy should follow the general physical activity guidelines for all adults, which say that you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week and do muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms). Moderate-intensity aerobic activity means that your heart rate goes up, and you breathe harder than average, but not so hard that you can't talk usually....

Purpose can benefit seniors ' health in several ways. In fact, studies have shown that those who feel a strong sense of purpose live longer and have better physical and mental health. This is particularly true for seniors, who are often at higher risk of poor health due to chronic conditions or decreased mobility. According to a study by the University of Michigan Health System, older adults who have a sense of meaning and purpose live longer and are less likely to develop certain debilitating diseases than those who don't. Beyond that, they found that having a purpose in life is more important than having friends or family, exercise or hobbies in predicting longevity. As a caregiver, there are plenty of ways to create purpose for seniors, and that sense of purpose can have significant health benefits for them. The key is staying active — not just physically but mentally and socially as well. Here are some ways to help older adults stay engaged and inspired: Volunteer wor...