Aerobic Exercise for Seniors: Ballroom Dance Improves Brain and Balance
Ballroom dancing for seniors is one of the best coordination exercises that encourages social fitness among retirees. Along with other types of aerobic exercise for seniors, residents of Discovery Commons San Ramon can lead active and fulfilling lives.
Unfortunately, seniors just aren't getting enough movement, according to NPR. Nearly 85% of the demographic falls short of the recommended amount of exercise, and a lack of movement in your elderly years can lead to even more health problems down the road.
Aerobic exercise for seniors, particularly participatory ones such as ballroom dancing, provides numerous opportunities for engagement and socialization. In this article, we will explore some of the best aerobic exercise options for seniors, as well as the many benefits of ballroom dancing for older folks.
What Is the Best Aerobic Exercise for Seniors?
Aerobic exercise for seniors is not just about breaking a sweat. The key benefit of aerobic exercise is that it increases heart rate and blood flow, both of which are essential for seniors to maintain good health well into their golden years.
Some of the best aerobic exercise options for seniors include:
- Ballroom Dancing: Users can learn all types of partner dances and showcase their skills in front of others.
- Walking: Even setting aside a few minutes every day for a stroll can do wonders for your mental and physical health.
- Hiking: Exploring the outdoors on your local trails can be invigorating for all ages.
- Water Aerobics: Usually inside a pool or aquatic center, participants follow the instructor's movements and benefit from the buoyancy of the water.
The Benefits of Ballroom Dancing for Seniors
Why is ballroom dancing especially advantageous for the elderly population? Here are some of the key advantages of picking up a ballroom dancing habit in your senior years.
Improved Balance and Coordination
Regular dance can improve your balance and coordination, which is vital for seniors to prevent falls and promote independence. Many seniors in assisted living struggle with mobility, so maintaining the autonomy to move freely is very important for those who want to continue an active lifestyle.
New Opportunities for Socialization
Ballroom dance offers numerous opportunities for socialization. You can meet others in your senior living community with similar interests, or even expand your horizons to local contests or social media groups for seniors who enjoy ballroom dancing.
For serious ballroom dancers, there are local and national contests for seniors to showcase their skills and compete for scores and prizes as well.
Increased Confidence
Learning a new skill, such as dancing, can translate into confidence in the rest of your everyday life. Dance requires balance, coordination, and chemistry, among other traits, all of which can impact your self-esteem. When you have a hobby such as ballroom dance, that confidence may spread to other parts of your life.
Reduced Stress
Though ballroom dancing can be a high-energy activity, it may also reduce stress levels in participants. Seniors in assisted living can forget about their worries for a while and simply move to the music, taking advantage of the catchy tunes while learning a new skill with a partner.
Modified Routines
Surprisingly, ballroom is an adaptable activity, with many modern routines featuring modifications for users with wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Look up modified moves for seniors on your favorite streaming website to see if there are ways to make the dance more comfortable for your changing body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aerobic Exercise Help Seniors With Dementia?
Absolutely. Seniors with dementia often struggle with maintaining physical health, and regular aerobic exercise can keep them fit. A guided exercise routine or activity, such as ballroom dance, may also provide stability and structure to their everyday lives.
Additionally, aerobic exercise encourages increased blood flow to the brain, which will, in turn, form and strengthen neural connections. These connections may help to slow the progression of cognitive decline in conditions such as dementia.
There is also a strong connection between dance and cognition. Movement and music both hold more powerful connections in the brain than regular neural links, so it is crucial to keep those parts of the brain strong.
How Can I Practice Ballroom Dance at Home?
Yes. You can even practice your ballroom routine with limited space from the privacy of your assisted living floor plan. Look up the moves you are struggling with on YouTube or another streaming site to master them before your next ballroom lesson.
If your instructor uses a certain song or tempo, find something that matches so you can have an accurate rehearsal track. Remember, mistakes are encouraged and expected, and practice makes perfect.
How Do I Reduce the Risk of Injury While Dancing?
Although activities such as ballroom dancing cannot be entirely risk-free for seniors, there are some practical steps you can take to cultivate a safe environment that heavily reduces the likelihood of senior accidents. They include:
- Move obstacles out of the way, if possible
- Keep mobility aids close by
- Modify exercises and moves as needed
- Wear non-slippery shoes
- Know the location of the emergency class system
Ballroom dance can be one of the most invigorating types of cardio for aging adults, and with the right planning, it will be enjoyable for all.
Aerobic Exercise for Seniors at Discovery Commons San Ramon
Aerobic exercise for seniors is one of the keys to maintaining a successful and healthy retirement. With this guide, you can enjoy activities like ballroom dance with fellow residents of your senior living community for both fun and fitness.
At Discovery Commons San Ramon, our exclusive programs and amenities are geared toward keeping residents happy and fulfilled. Chef-prepared meals and a full roster of activities and events are just some of the perks you can look forward to enjoying when you move to our assisted living or memory care communities.
Are you interested in learning more about all that our community has to offer? Reach out to us today with any questions you may have, or visit our beautiful campus in San Ramon, CA, to see it in person and learn more about our $99 move-in special. We can't wait to meet you!