Never Too Old to Boogie! Benefits of Staying Active As We Age

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching
Love like you'll never be hurt
Sing like there's nobody listening
And live like it's heaven on earth."

--William W. Purkey

Martha Graham once said, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul." And it's true: dancing is a very healing form of self-expression. It encourages us to relax, celebrate life's beauty, let loose, and be silly. Coupled with our favorite music, dancing can also be very sentimental, triggering positive memories. That's why we love incorporating dance into our activities program at Orchard Park Senior Living. Not only is it a ton of fun, but it's healthy too!

How We Dance at Orchard Park

Who says you're too old to boogie? Not our residents. These seniors love to dance, so we have tailored our senior fitness program to include many music- and dance-themed events including:

• Our Resident Dance Class held every Thursday afternoon! We shake our tail feathers, laugh, and have a fabulous time. A definite favorite among residents!
• Chair Dancing allowing seniors with mobility issues or those with limited exercise experience or ability a chance to dance and tap their toes to the beat of our favorite songs.
• Zumba! This high-energy class continues to draw in more and more participants each session. So much fun moving to these mood-boosting energizing beats!

Why We Love to Dance

Exercise helps us stay fit and healthy in both mind and body as we age, and can even help reverse the effects of disease. No one knows this better than the residents at Orchard Park active senior living community, who boogie and strut their stuff weekly in a variety of fun fitness classes. Dancing boasts a variety of physical and mental health benefits.

#1 Bone Strength

Aging affects bone density and is often linked to osteoporosis. Senior exercise helps to delay the onset of this disease, however, and improves joint flexibility and circulation. When you improve your bone strength, you make exercise and general movement easier, improving balance and preventing falls.

#2 Mood Boost

Fitness for seniors helps to alleviate depression by at least 30 percent, according to research. A decrease in depression or sad feelings usually coincides with improved mood and self-esteem, which in turn boosts overall health. This results in people wanting to socialize more and participate in the hobbies and activities they once loved.

#3 Improved Sleep

Seniors who exercise and are active throughout the day are more tired in the evenings, making it easier to fall asleep and receive the restorative rest they need to stay healthy. Additionally, they tend to stay asleep throughout the night and enjoy more restful sleep that allows them to be energetic the following day. This cyclical benefit builds on itself, meaning that the more consistently a person exercises, the better their sleep will be.

#4 Manages Chronic Health Conditions

Individuals with chronic conditions often feel weak and unable to participate in normal everyday activities. However, senior fitness helps to improve or prevent these conditions, and alleviates their often painful side effects. Exercising helps prevent obesity, helping seniors maintain proper glucose and insulin levels for optimum health. Fitness programs for seniors have also shown promise in reducing the risk of breast cancer in women who regularly perform moderate exercise. Finally, regular exercise can help reduce the risk of stroke heart disease and dementia.

#5 Get Social

One of the greatest benefits of exercise among residents in active senior living communities is the social aspect. Regular group exercise classes unite residents, allowing them to make friends, socialize, and feel connected with their community. Exercise is known to increase serotonin in the brain, which improves a person's mood, thus making them happier and more energetic. Individuals who feel content and fulfilled are more likely to engage in new activities, seek out new friends, and report fewer health issues.

Our Senior Fitness Program

The fitness programs for seniors at Orchard Park are always fun and exciting, because we offer a plethora of activities and classes for our residents. Our regularly-scheduled dance activities make our residents feel good, get their hearts pumping, and help everyone bond together. Exercise has more benefits than we could possibly describe here, but we know one thing for sure: our residents are reaping the rewards weekly from our full schedule of activities and events. If you're interested in learning more about Orchard Park or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us today to discuss the best solutions for you and your aging loved one.