When I was younger – not even that long ago – whenever anyone mentioned Chair Aerobics, I usually envisioned a group of elderly folks sitting on chairs arranged in a circle holding pool noodles and swatting at a balloon to keep it airborne. Turns out, I was mistaken.
Chair aerobics is getting far better press now than in the past. More and more senior centers are offering classes that strive to include folks with all levels of ability. You can even stand to do the workout. Most classes run ½ hour to an hour and are designed to provide folks with a good workout without needing machines or heavy weights.
Tag: exercise
Reduce Your Dementia Risk in 2024
Over the last few years, quite a bit of attention has been paid to the subject of dementia. The information has included ways to reduce your risk, as well as lifestyles that may contribute to cognitive decline. I originally began this blog back in 2015 as a kind of continuation of the stories collected in a book I wrote about our family’s experience with my Mama when she had dementia. The book shares our family’s quest to help her find joy in the journey and finish well. As time has passed, I find myself and those around me – especially caregivers, becoming more interested in ways they can lower their own risk.
Caring for our Thumbs gets a Thumbs Up
When our son, Ryan was young, his favorite book was “Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb” by Al Perkins. We read it to him over and over, and over again. It is a fun, rhythmic read.
In fact, it became so embedded into my brain, that anytime the subject of ‘thumb’ is brought up, the line, “Hand, hand, fingers thumb, dum, ditty, dum ditty dum, dum dum,” rolls through my head…and then gets stuck there.
Reducing Dementia, One Benefit of Walking
Weaving walking into our daily lives adds benefits beyond simple exercise. One of the marvelous things about walking is that it doesn’t require a lot of specialized equipment. If you have comfortable shoes, a hat, and perhaps a walking stick, you’re good to go.
Backing up is good for your memory
In this modern, computerized society of ours, warnings and advice about backing up computers and tablets have become fairly common. I had to learn the value of backing up my photos and documents the hard way. It happened back in the 90s when personal computers were becoming more and more popular. I can still remember…
Do You Hear the Music? Dance!
The biggest surprise of the study was that social interaction of dancing lowered the seniors’ risk of dementia by a staggering 76%. Sorta makes you want to do the happy dance.
Find a sense of balance in your busy life
In order to find a sense of balance in our busy lives, it is first important to define what balance actually is. One definition is a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
Self-defense training to help equip you in case of an attack
Ideally, never having to face a dangerous situation would be best, but since life isn’t always ideal, learning how to anticipate peril in order to avoid it would be the best way to keep yourself safe.
Upside Down and Backward
So there I was on the treadmill set for reverse and the wonderful memory of Mama and I walking back and forth in the pool came back to me. I remembered the statement someone had said about walking backward being good for memory and wondered if it was really true.