Even just a little exercise can help seniors boost their health

If you start getting physical activity on a regular basis, you’ll be more likely to recover strength and flexibility, and less likely to develop long-term disability. Photo: Filepic

Retaining the ability to get up and about easily – to walk across a parking lot, climb a set of stairs, rise from a chair and maintain balance – is an under-appreciated component of good health in later life.

When mobility is compromised, older adults are more likely to lose their independence, become isolated, feel depressed, live in nursing homes, and die earlier than people who don’t have difficulty moving around.