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Elderly need to exercise more, health officials say

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Elderly need to exercise more

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Tennis, shopping, brisk walks and gold are all examples of good exercise (file)

Tennis, shopping, brisk walks and gold are all examples of good exercise (file)

Older New Zealanders need to spend time exercising if they want to live longer and healthier lives, say health officials.

The Ministry of Health has released a set of physical activity guidelines to encourage people over 65 to spend less time sitting down.

Chief medical officer Dr Don Mackie says elderly should be spending at least 30 minutes out of their chairs a day, doing an activity that gets their blood pumping.

Grandparents who get out for a brisk walk, a bike ride, go for a swim or play with grandchildren will feel the health benefits.

“Ideally, people will be adding in activities that promote flexibility and balance – such as carrying shopping, stretching, and golf,” says Dr Mackie.

Other household activities can help too, and daily chores like walking to the shops, vacuuming or gardening “all add up”.

The practice, along with good nutrition, can stave off certain chronic conditions.

The ministry will be producing a publically available version of the guidelines, which can also be viewed online.

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Comments

5/02/2013 5:11:56 p.m.

murray wrote:

I don't regard walking as exercise it is just the normal way to get around. I am in my late 70s and find the so called daily designted 30 minute walk as exercise ls to me a waste of time. I find that mowing lawns, gardening, and golng for an occasional 2-3) hour walk somewhere lnteresting far more beneficial.

31/01/2013 7:37:45 p.m.

Ron wrote:

On the north shore (Beachhaven and Northcote) green prescription community groups which cater for elderly and disabled have had the funding cut and this service will no longer will be provided in this form. This is a huge gap for those who would like to keep active and benefit from the peer support of the community group. It will be replaced by phone one on one support. It has left a huge group disengaged socially and physically.

31/01/2013 12:28:13 p.m.

alison wrote:

The govts a bit slow on this one. It is already being promoted as the green prescription and not only for the elderly. It would be nice to see seats for the elderly in neighbourhoods as walking is great but there is also the unfit that need these to start with and infirm that will always need them. I have seen seats that attach to powerpoles somewhere overseas and wonder if councils will oneday catch on here.