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Dementia is something we all worry about as we age. It is said to be quite common among adults over the age of 65. We have heard horror stories about how people with dementia are unable to enjoy life and need constant supervision etc. etc…. So, I was reading up on this problem, recently, and came upon some interesting information about how your risk of dementia can be prevented by keeping fit. You may ask “how does keeping fit have anything to do with the mind?” Yeah, I thought so too….. Benefits of Regular Exercise So, you and I both know the health benefits of exercise. You don’t? Well, firstly, exercise helps you maintain your weight and prevent excess weight gain. It helps you combat various heart diseases, related mainly to high blood pressure and cholesterol. Exercise prevents and manages other health problems that include Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, depression, arthritis etc. It improves your mood and boosts energy so that you can be happy and active the whole day. Exercise is also beneficial in slowing the aging process and, therefore, you will look younger for longer. The Study So, now we know how good exercise is for our hearts, for maintaining proper levels of sugar, for bone health and all that. Now, staying fit can also reduce our risk of developing dementia, an added incentive to hit the gym or start the day with a good, brisk walk. A study was conducted at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas, where 20,000 people, around 50 years of age, received a standard fitness test and were monitored for approximately 25 years. Although, according to the test, 1,659 people did develop dementia, 36% of people with a high fitness level had a reduced risk of developing the disease than those with low fitness levels. Bottom line, evidence suggests changes to the brain begin occurring 20 years or so before dementia makes its presence known, and being physically fit earlier in life reduces the chances of developing dementia. This should not dissuade you from being physically active if you have not been so earlier. The health benefits of exercise are numerous. As many would say, it is never too late to start exercising and living well. So, put aside at least 150 minutes of your week for moderate exercise or 75 minutes of the week for vigorous exercise. You will be surprised at the health benefits you will experience with regular exercise. Many active adult communities know the importance of exercise for their 50+ residents. This is the reason most communities are equipped with state-of-the-art, well-equipped fitness centers, tennis courts, swimming pools and walking and biking trails. No active adult community goes without at least one or two of these facilities included in their community. For example, communities, such as, Heritage at Medford in Medford, New Jersey, Breakwater by Schell Brothers in Lewes, Delaware and Trilogy at Rio Vista by Shea Homes in Rio Vista, California are just some communities that provide access to physical activity. You will be able to find many more communities such as this if you visit ActiveAdultLiving.com® a website of more than 6,900 communities. Author: Lisa LaCount writes articles courtesy of ActiveAdultLiving.com, the most comprehensive source of information on Senior living communities in the web. You will find over 5800 listings of 55+ communities such as Heritage at Medford in this web site. Those interested in locating an ideal 55 communities to relocate and settle down can benefit from the AAL website which provides precise and comprehensive information on various communities across USA. Visit our Active Adult Living Blog or Active Adult Living Newsletter for great information on 55 places and great living.
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