Just 45 Minutes a Week Can Improve Arthritis Pain

When it comes to exercise and staying active to maintain optimum health, seniors are no exception! However, if you are one of the many older adults in Oregon battling arthritis pain, keeping up with your physical fitness requirements can be difficult.

The good news is, the most recent recommendations ease back on the intensity of activity for older persons with arthritis, suggesting that as little as just 45 minutes of physical exercise each week is sufficient to realize and maintain a high level of functionality - and less daunting for individuals who are likely to shy away from exercise.

In accordance with Northwestern University professor Dorothy Dunlop, “For those older people suffering from arthritis who are minimally active, a 45-minute minimum might feel more realistic.”

Despite these scaled-back recommendations, sadly, as little as 10% of mature adults affected by the challenges of arthritis are achieving this level of activity. On the other hand, contributors in a recent study who accomplished the 45-minute amount of moderate exercise each week exhibited an astounding 80% increase in sustained or improved functionality over a 2-year time period, compared to people who were less active. And it was confirmed that even though any amount of exercise is better than none, the 45-minute weekly guideline is optimal.

Naturally, always check with the individual's doctor prior to starting or adjusting any activity or fitness program. With his or her consent, an excellent place to get started is with the Arthritis Foundation’s app, Walk With Ease, which includes goal-setting, progress-tracking, a handbook and sample online videos in order to show the exercises. Putting aside designated times daily for physical exercise, and making it a top priority, will help make certain activity becomes an ingrained routine and increases the probability of its success.

Additionally, you can partner with All Care’s Ashland home health caregivers for a companion to help motivate and encourage participation in an exercise program that helps to relieve arthritis pain. It’s always more fun with a companion! We can also provide transportation and accompaniment to exercise programs, to parks as well as other outdoor locations for pleasant walks together, to doctors’ appointments, and more. Call us at (541) 857-9195 to learn more about our Ashland home health care and the communities we serve.