Senior Activity Tracking

Health, fitness, and data tracking wearables are all the rage nowadays. And why is that? Well, because they have become ubiquitous to today’s tech. You can find them in just about everything. This is mostly on account of tech companies, like Google, Amazon, Fitbit, Apple, Garmin, and others prioritizing their consumer’s health and incorporating all manner of tools into their devices. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity a day. Most Americans are generally incredibly lax when it comes to fitness — and the stats for senior activity are even worse. With something as affordable and easy to program as a fitness tracker seniors can reap amazing health rewards. In this article, we’ll tell you what an activity tracker is, provide some examples of activity trackers for seniors and list the benefits such devices can bring to the table. 

How much activity should seniors perform in a week? 

According to the CDC, adults aged 65 and older need at the very least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity — such as a brisk walk. This translates to 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Why is that? Physical activity, particularly in seniors, is incredibly important since it can prevent or delay many heart problems linked to old age. It can also help fortify muscles, increase heart rate, and optimize balance and bone issues. 

Older adults should be required to move more, and ultimately sit less throughout the day. Whether it’s a moderate walk, a vigorous hike, or activities such as running, jogging, or biking, seniors must stay active. 

According to multiple studies, physical activity among seniors brings the following benefits into their lives:

• Prevent diseases by boosting their immune system.
  
  
• Improved mental health — exercise produces endorphins, which act as a stress reliever and leaves seniors feeling happy as well as satisfied.
  
  
• Insomnia medication — daily exercise among seniors has been linked to improving their sleep patterns. Seniors that regularly perform physical routines suffer less from insomnia.
  
  
• Decreases risk of falls — exercising strengthens bones, improves flexibility, and optimizes balance and coordination, all critical issues when it comes to preventing falls. Not only that, but seniors who practice daily physical activities are more likely to overcome the consequences of a fall.
  
  
• Social engagement — by joining group physical activities, seniors can maintain strong social ties.
  
  
• Improved cognitive function — regular physical exercise improves and fine-tunes motor skills and better cognitive functions.

What are good activities for seniors?

A study performed by the CDC points out that seniors should have a routine that blends 3 types of exercises. 

• Aerobic.
  
  
• Muscle training.
  
  
• Balance activity.

Each routine differs depending on the person and their skill level. But the mix of all three helps cardiac functions, muscle strength and bone density, and finally coordination. 

What is activity tracking? 

Activity tracking is a way of measuring and analyzing one's physical activity, typically with the use of a wearable device. Activity tracking is not new, but it has become more prevalent in recent years. The rise of wearable technology and its integration into everyday life has made activity tracking more accessible to the average person. Activity trackers are now being used by many people to improve their health and fitness levels.

Activity trackers are also being used by senior communities to help reduce the cost of healthcare and improve productivity.

Benefits of activity trackers 

Activity tracking for seniors, and the employment of consumer-grade wearables, bring a smorgasbord of benefits to their lives. Not just prolonging it but improving the overall quality of it. 

Amongst these benefits, we can find:

• Accountability: fitness trackers remind you every day to get those miles, minutes, or reps in. They help push you a bit harder and give you better tools to maintain your goals. 
  
  
• Daily motivation: by providing visual progress activity trackers for seniors, they can see graphically how they have improved.
  
  
• Track sleep: activity trackers can help you get more winks by improving your overall sleep routine. From telling you how much rest you need to reminding you when to start shutting down.
  
  
• Heart rate monitor: most activity trackers track and monitor heart rate and in many cases can notify a physician when something is off. 
  
  
• Stay connected: most trackers bring with them social functions. This allows seniors to interact with others that are using the same app and even compete with them. 

How to choose the best activity tracker for seniors? 

The best activity tracker for seniors is one that will be comfortable and easy to use. It should have a user-friendly interface and accurate measurements, and it should be durable.

Activity trackers can help seniors get more physical activity in their daily lives. They can also help them maintain a healthy weight, improve sleep quality, and reduce the risk of falls.

Activity trackers for seniors come in all shapes and sizes. From smart watches to smart bands, and even apps on your phone. Some of the most popular companies that produce them are Fitbit, Apple, Garmin, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Samsung.

How to keep seniors active? 

It is important to find ways to keep seniors active and engaged. That can be done by playing games, cooking together, or just walking around the neighborhood.

A study found that seniors who exercised regularly had improved cognitive function and lower rates of depression than those who did not exercise at all, even after accounting for other factors like diet, socioeconomic status, and health status.