Active older people have an advantage over older people who take it easy. When people reach retirement age, they often become unemployed overnight. In the beginning it feels like a holiday, but over time many people slump, get up later, watch more TV, take everything slowly, but that is not really healthy. Of course, every pensioner has the right to take it a bit easier, but exercise remains necessary. However, it is no longer necessary to do everything at the pace of our fast-paced society. However, taking care of the household and garden yourself, doing the shopping, cycling, doing some sports and walking is wise and it is good to keep it up as long as you can.

Active older people stay mobile longer

Active seniors are often seniors with many interests. Elderly people who actively participate in society and do not allow themselves to be sidelined. Anyone who receives a pension and no longer has to go to work every day would do well to think in advance about how to spend the next few days.

Hobbies help you stay active much longer

This is usually not a problem for people with a few hobbies. They easily fill their time and after a while even wonder where they used to find the time to go to work. That is of course beneficial. These people stay mobile longer and are less likely to get sick than people who sit behind the geraniums or watch TV all day.

Keep muscles and joints active for longer

Over time, most people’s muscles and joints often become less flexible. This is clearly noticeable, because many people over the age of sixty already have starting problems when they get up in the morning. All joints need to get going for a while. The lubricant between the cartilage of the joints must first become flexible again and lubricate the cartilage, so that it can do its job as a shock absorber again. After a few minutes, however, everything works again and movement becomes better and better.

Becoming mobile again after a period of bed rest

The above also means that elderly people who have not moved for a number of days due to a broken bone or illness, have more difficulty getting their body going again. For example, anyone who breaks a leg or hip and is in a cast for six to eight weeks will find it more difficult to get going again. However, it can be done, but takes more effort than with younger people.

The cartilage and the lubricant between them

However, many elderly people already have joint problems due to wear and tear due to previous heavy work, due to osteoarthritis or also due to being overweight. When the lubricant is gone, the cartilage rubs against each other and slowly wears away, the bones of the joint slide over each other unprotected, which can be extremely painful. The patient tries to avoid that pain by moving less, but this not only makes the joints but also the muscles around them stiffer.

People who experience pain often move less

One thing leads to another and the patient’s circle of movement becomes smaller and smaller. He/she walks, cycles or swims less, goes shopping less often and leaves that to the helper or family members. Contact with people decreases due to an increasingly smaller circle of movement and in this way someone can also become lonely.

Good exercise is especially necessary for aging people

Exercise is not only a necessity for people with joint problems. People with osteoarthritis also need to keep moving. The cause of osteoarthritis is still not completely clear, but it is known that people with rheumatoid osteoarthritis often develop small joint infections, causing the cartilage to slowly disappear. In such an inflammation, the joint becomes red and warm, after which the deformity increases again. The consequences of this are often visible, especially in the lumps of the joints of the fingers.

Don’t transfer anything to stay mobile longer

Anyone who has pain when moving should not sit still, but keep moving. Even with osteoarthritis, it is wise to keep moving. However, you should not overdo it. Heavy lifting, wringing, etc. is not wise, but regular gardening, swimming, cycling, walking or other exercise is fine. Exercising at least half an hour a day is a good way to stay mobile. Longer is better, of course, but not if it causes you pain. The pain often subsides once you start moving.

Glucosamine can help you stay mobile longer

The drug “glucosamine” can often help to make the pain bearable. Glucosamine is available in tablet form, but also in liquid form at drugstores and pharmacies. If you use it daily, you may notice pain relief after just a few weeks. That can help you keep moving better.

Find balance between rest and exercise

Some elderly people do not suffer from painful joints at all and can walk, cycle, swim and walk as if they were twenty. That is of course something that everyone would like, but not everyone is so lucky. However, those who give up and give in will become increasingly handicapped over time. Anyone who suffers from osteoarthritis or painfully stiff joints would do well to find a good balance between exercise and rest. Don’t transfer anything, but keep moving with common sense.

Organize the day well

Even if you no longer work and are retired, try to organize the day well with a sensible division between rest periods and active periods. The daily schedule does not have to be as strict as when you were still working, but there must be a certain regularity. For example, go walking, cycling or swimming for half an hour every day. This way you stay healthy and active for as long as possible.

Staying mobile longer also means maintaining more social contacts

Walking, cycling, running, shopping, going to the gym for the elderly every week. It all helps to stay mobile longer and also to not get lonely. The old proverb says, “A flying bird always catches something.” That’s right, and it’s not just about things that one can get, but also about contacts.

Try to ensure that you do not become lonely

Especially if you live alone, it is nice to bump into an old acquaintance here and there. You will meet neighbors in a shopping center and see the neighborhood children playing on the street. If you stay behind the geraniums you will not only become stiffer, but you will also lose contact with the life around you. You then become lonely without even realizing it at first. Try to prevent that.

Take the initiative yourself

It’s nice to invite someone for coffee, but have you ever thought about doing that in the garden centre? That is not only more fun, but you can also walk around there and enjoy the flowers and plants. It is also wise to meet in a shopping center to have coffee together in one of the places there. You get out for a while and see more people again. There are numerous options that will keep you mobile longer and life more interesting.