Exercise is a vital component of staying healthy as we age, and assisted living facilities can play a large role in keeping this trend alive. Many assisted living facilities have always had activities planned for their residents, but more often the exercise aspect of aging is being addressed. Exercise has been shown to prevent brain and body aging over the course of several studies. A recent one indicated that exercise can prevent and reverse the muscle atrophy associated with getting older and heart failure.

Underweight seniors are at a much higher risk of injuries from falling and this can lead to permanent injury, especially if the elderly person has osteoporosis. This condition leads to brittle bones and a bad fall can shatter a hip or arm bone, leading to irreversible damage. But a good portion of this risk can be eliminated if the senior maintains a healthy amount of muscle mass. By keeping muscle on the body, bones are better protected as are the internal organs. A fall also can be reduced in likelihood since increased muscle is usually associated with better balance and stability on your feet.

As the research continues to point toward exercise being so important, many senior living areas are making exercise more accessible for their residents. With activities like going for walks, getting outside, and even interactive video games like the Nintendo Wii being installed in homes, it has never been easier for seniors to get out and become more active.

The age of the resident doesn't matter; anyone of any age can reap the benefits of exercising. This is something that assisted living facilities are taking into account for their residents. Even simple activities that might not be considered as €rigorous€ exercise can be beneficial if the person is limited to a wheelchair or has trouble getting around. The exercise doesn't need to be major to be beneficial it just needs to be there in some capacity. By exercising regularly, people can increase their lifespan as well.

In short, healthy residents are a good thing for assisted living facilities. By staying healthier and living longer, assisted living facilities can cut down on their care costs and keep residents in their homes for longer periods of time. This increases revenue for assisted living facilities and helps their residents to live more fulfilling lives. This is definitely a win-win situation for everyone involved. When people are healthier, they are more likely to be happier. And when residents are happier and more active, the facility has fewer associated costs. If all assisted living facilities adopted these measures, there would be a surge in the overall health of the senior population. Until then, the facilities that do adopt these practices will see their clients become more likely to thrive.