Walking is an excellent and easy way for the elderly to exercise.  Walking offers:

• Improvement of cardiovascular function and possibly a reduction in the chances of having a heart attack
• Potential weight loss or weight control
• Reduction in blood pressure
• An aid in the prevention and treatment of depression
• A positive impact on the health of people with diabetes
• Greater endurance and muscle strength
• Building and maintenance of bones and muscles

Here are some tips to help you start walking:

• Find a buddy with whom you can walk regularly. A friend can encourage you to walk on days when you aren’t motivated and can help you continue walking at a good pace.
• Use a pedometer, which keeps track of the distance you’ve walked. This will help you keep track of your steps and can be an excellent motivator that can encourage you to gradually reach your goal.
• Schedule regular walks in a PDA or calendar. This helps to ensure that you have a set time every day for walking.
• If you have chronic medical problems such as heart disease or diabetes, check with you doctor to make sure a walking program is safe for you.
• Start slowly if you need to – just get started, even if it means just walking around the block.  Somewhere between three and four miles an hour should be your goal, but if you have to work up to that gradually, it’s better to walk slowly than to do nothing.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.