InTouch with Southern Kentucky August 2020 | Page 28

IN TOUCH
Health
The Importance of Physical and
Mental Fitness for Older Adults
DR. MANDISSA
SEALEY
As a result of the social
distancing restrictions that
were put in place to reduce
the spread of COVID-19, there
has also been reduction in
physical activity for some older adults.
The reduction has been in both
incidental physical activity and formal
exercise. The former due to reduced
participation in community activities
such as shopping and socializing, while
the latter is due to reduced attendance
at exercise classes, gyms, golf, bowling
and other group activities. Restriction of
these activities and regular exercise could
have harmful effects on those over 65.
There is strong evidence that physical
activity is linked to functional abilities,
including mobility and independence
in personal and community activities of
daily living, particularly in older adults.
Physical activity can also improve
the health of older people with chronic
ailments such as cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular (of the brain) disease,
dementia and cognitive impairment.
There are many organizations offering
exercise videos for free, which can be
accessed from your computer or phone.
Check out Go4Life from the National
Institute on Aging or the Fitness Blender
Total Body Chair Workout, as a starting
point.
28 • In Touch with Southern Kentucky AUGUST 2020