Seniors Should Incorporate Swimming into Exercise Routines

It becomes increasingly important to maintain muscle and joint health through daily exercise as we age. Many seniors partake in walking or light weightlifting to stay in shape, but more seniors should consider adding swimming exercises and classes to their routine.

Swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise and can be more accessible than it may initially seem. Most seniors do not have access to a pool in their backyard, but local community centers, gyms and senior living communities might have the perfect pool for year-round exercise.

“Our heated pool offers some of our most popular activities for our residents,” said Mike DeStefon, NHA, OTR/L, Executive Director and Corporate Director of Rehab Services at Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line. “We see our seniors benefit a lot from our aquatics classes, swimming lessons and even relaxing sessions in the pool with friends.”

Here are several reasons why making a splash can have significant health advantages for seniors in their golden years:

• Improves cardiovascular health: Swimming is an aerobic exercise. This means that it’s good for strengthening the heart by pumping blood more efficiently, leading to healthy blood flow in the body. Just 30 minutes of swimming several times a week can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, raise “good” cholesterol, and lower high blood pressure.
• Boosts mental health: Taking a dip can be mentally therapeutic and help seniors stay young at heart. Swimming a couple times a week can relieve stress, lower anxiety and depression, and promote healthy brain function through increased blood flow to the brain. A couple laps in the pool can also help older adults benefit from mood-boosting endorphins.
• Reduces the risk of falls and injuries: The older seniors get, the more likely they are to experience falls and injuries. Swimming can reduce some of the worries they or a loved one might have of injuring themselves. Not only is swimming great for exercise, but it’s also a fantastic way to strengthen muscles, joints, flexibility, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. When the body becomes stronger and more flexible, the chance of injury and falls reduces greatly.
• Aids with weight management: Seniors often struggle with maintaining a healthy weight due to loss of appetite or not enough exercise, which can put them at risk for falls, heart disease, or diabetes. Swimming is a low-impact form of exercise that can help seniors manage their weight and lessen weight fluctuations by helping them shed pounds or build up an appetite.
• Protects joint health: Seniors with arthritis or similar conditions can benefit greatly from aquatic therapy since the buoyancy of water reduces the amount of pressure placed on joints compared to traditional exercise. However, it is always important to practice proper form while swimming to ensure that joints are well-protected from strain-related injuries.

The non-profit Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL) continuing care communities have a dedicated mission to deliver a purpose-filled life to residents. Serving over 1,100 residents with more than 1,200 employees throughout Pennsylvania, the Wesley Enhanced Living communities located in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties provide various combinations of independent living, personal care services, memory care, and rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Wesley Enhanced Living has been named a Great Place to Work® in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018.