{"id":2187,"date":"2017-08-03T15:35:06","date_gmt":"2017-08-03T19:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"\/?p=2187"},"modified":"2017-08-15T15:48:56","modified_gmt":"2017-08-15T19:48:56","slug":"homecare-in-woodbridge-va-parent-walk-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/homecare-in-woodbridge-va-parent-walk-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Should Your Parent Walk for Exercise?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Homecare

Homecare in Woodbridge VA: Walking Is A Great Exercise For Your Senior<\/p><\/div>\n

If your parent is spending too much time on the couch or in their favorite chair, it may be time to encourage them to start a walking program. \u00a0Walking is a great form of exercise for seniors because it is low-impact, safe and easy to do, and it doesn\u2019t cost a penny!<\/p>\n

Scientific evidence also supports walking as beneficial for seniors. \u00a0According to a 2008 study conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia, walking just might help your parent to remain independent for longer. \u00a0The study involved 26 adults aged 60 and older who were split into two groups. \u00a0One group attended nutrition classes and the other group engaged in a walking program. \u00a0At the end of the study, the walkers improved their physical function scores by 25 percent and reduced their risk for disability by 41 percent. \u00a0The non-walking group actually experienced a decrease of 8.3 percent in their physical function scores. \u00a0Another study conducted by the University of Tennessee found that walking resulted in less body fat for women.<\/p>\n

If the scientific evidence isn\u2019t enough to convince your parent, here are five more reasons to slip on some walking shoes, grab a family member, friend, or home care provider, and head for the nearest sidewalk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

#1 Walking Gets the Blood Pumping<\/strong>
\nWalking improves circulatory health. \u00a0It raises the heart rate, making the heart stronger and preventing heart disease. \u00a0It also lowers blood pressure.<\/p>\n

#2 Walking Makes People Happier<\/strong>
\nExercise has a positive effect on mood because it causes the body to release endorphins. \u00a0Endorphins are a chemical that reduces the brain\u2019s perception of pain and causes a person to feel good. \u00a0This good feeling is sometimes called a \u201crunner\u2019s high.\u201d<\/p>\n

#3 Walking Helps Keep the Brain Sharp<\/strong>
\nIn a study performed at the University of California, San Diego, women who walked 2.5 miles per day experienced a memory decline of 17 percent while women who walked less than half a mile each week had a 25 percent decline.<\/p>\n

#4 Walking Improves Joint Health<\/strong>
\nMost of the cartilage found in joints is not connected to a blood supply. \u00a0Instead, it is fed by synovial fluids that circulate through the joints as a person moves. \u00a0If a person is sedentary, joints don\u2019t get enough of the nutrients they need from synovial fluids.<\/p>\n

#5 Walking Reduces the Risk for Fractures<\/strong>
\nWalking helps to strengthen the bones and can stop bone loss. \u00a0One study showed that women who walk at least 30 minutes per day can reduce their risk of hip fractures by 40 percent.<\/p>\n

If your parent is reluctant to start a walking program because they fear falling and injuring themselves, a home care provider can help. \u00a0Home care providers can walk with your parent to ensure their safety and prevent falls. \u00a0They can also make certain your parent is properly attired for the weather and wearing good, sturdy shoes that will reduce the risk for falling.<\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

If you or a loved-one are considering homecare in Woodbridge<\/a>, VA, to help with motivation and exercise each day, please contact the caring staff at Quality Health Services LLC. Call today\u00a0703-910-7081.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources
\nHealthy Living<\/a>
\nArthritis.org<\/a>
\nWebMD1<\/a>
\nWebMD2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Homecare in Woodbridge VA: If your parent is spending too much time on the couch or in their favorite chair, it may be time to encourage them to start a walking program. Walking is a great form of exercise for seniors because it is low-impact, safe and easy to do, and it doesn\u2019t cost a penny!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2188,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[132,133],"tags":[134],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2187"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2190,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187\/revisions\/2190"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qhscares.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}