Why do aging adults end up in assisted-living facilities? It’s right there in the title: It comes down to not being able to get up off of the toilet. It may sound crass, but it is a very real thing.
More broadly, the reason aging adults go to assisted-living facilities is loss of independence. As adults age, basic movement becomes much more difficult. People retire, they are less active, and they have fewer reasons to get up and out of the house. So they sit all day, and their muscles atrophy.
That’s why the need to stay active is so important as we age. We need to find or stick to an exercise routine to preserve our independence for as long as possible—not just for our own sakes, but also so our children won’t have to take care of us or pay someone else to.
The exercise needs of the aging population vary by degree, not kind. What is standing up from the toilet? An air squat. What happens when someone falls and gets back up? A burpee. How do groceries get unloaded from the car? With a farmer's carry.
Aging adult athletes may not be breaking gym records, but they can certainly perform modified versions of everything the rest of the class is doing—and a good coach will know how to guide them. Intensity is relative for every athlete in the gym, while range of motion and movement goals stay the same.
Strength training is another solution to the prevention or reversal of osteoporosis (brittle bones). Even minor slips and falls often result in broken bones in aging men and women with low bone density. Lifting heavy objects increases that bone density and reduces risk of injury.
Group fitness classes may or may not be appropriate for all aging adults. At Rocktown CrossFit we have several 50, 60 and 70-plus-year-old athletes in our classes. While they feel the class setting is best for their goals others choose to continue with private sessions. The point is they are staying active.
Click the link below to talk with one of our coaches about a plan that fits your goals and current fitness level.
We are not elite athletes. We are not looking to break any records. That’s not why we work out. We work out every day so that we can stay out of the nursing home eventually—and so we will never be trapped on the toilet.