​The Benefits of Tai Chi for a Senior Parent

Senior Care Chicago IL
 
It’s common knowledge that exercise and diet are the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise promotes a healthy heart, mind and body, reducing the risk of diseases such as cancer, stroke and diabetes. 

​As we age, cartilage, the shock absorber between bones, tends to become brittle and results in pain upon movement. To avoid the jarring exercises of jogging, tennis or aerobic classes, seniors are taking up the gentle art of tai chi. This low-impact exercise has been in existence for thousands of years and is practiced by 250 million people world-wide, including a growing number of seniors in the United States. 

Why Tai Chi? 

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that consists of a sequence of movements with one flowing into the other. This mindful exercise is said to help maintain flexibility and balance as well as strength. Peter Wayne, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Tai Chi Mind-Body Research Program believes, “A growing body of carefully conducted research is building a compelling case for tai chi as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many conditions commonly associated with age.”   

Tai chi improves muscle strength in the core muscles of the back and abdomen as well as the arms and legs. It increases flexibility and improves balance by training proprioceptors—sensors that provide the information regarding muscle length and tension as well as joint angle. This information aids the ability to know where your body is in space, thereby increasing balance. 

​Where Tai Chi?  

Tai chi is growing in popularity in the United States. Senior Community Centers and the local YMCA are common places where classes are offered. The Arthritis Foundation offers a 12-movement tai chi program.  

Tai chi provides some aerobic benefits, though other activities may be required to get the heart up to speed. Check with your parent’s health care provider before suggesting this exercise or the additional benefits of other aerobic activities.  

​Senior Care Provider 

If your parent is not a joiner and you find they are uncomfortable going to a tai chi class alone, consider hiring a senior care provider for part time assistance. These professionals can either provide transportation as well as companionship. They can also assist with the daily tasks of living, so that you have time to accompany your parent to the local tai chi class and maybe even merit some of the benefits yourself.  
 
​Resources:  www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services Chicago IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

---