Swimming increases heart health and overall circulation while remaining an effective aerobic exercise that’s easy on the joints. This makes swimming the perfect exercise for seniors looking for a way to get out and get active, without the dangerous physical strain it can be on frail muscles or bones. Here are a few tips to make sure swimming stays a safe, positive experience for seniors!
Avoid Solo Swims
A good tip for any swimmer is to make sure there is always someone else present in the pool area while you are swimming. Cramping and breathing problems can prove to be fatal if there is not someone else present to help you out of the water and perform or contact proper medical assistance. Even the best swimmers are never immune to the dangers of deep water and muscle spasms, so make sure that you are in a place where you can receive help if necessary!
Make Sure the Water is Safe
Just like air quality is important for any other sport, the water you are immersed in should be equally safe. The bacteria in and acidity of your water don’t just affect the pool surfaces, they affect you as well. Keeping your pool clean and in good condition is part of maintaining a safe swimming environment. Verify that the water is safe and swimmable by checking the pH levels, alkalinity, amount of chlorine, and calcium hardness of your water, as each of these can be dangerous to your skin and eyes, and a lack of any of these can mean the existence of infections in the water that will harm your eyes, nose, and even organs.
Use an Accessible Pool
You will of course want a pool that is as safe in structure as it is chemically. Before you commit to a pool or even enter one, make sure there are easily maneuverable stairs with handrails and traction grip on the pool floor to make getting in and out of the pool easy. Ideally, there will be multiple sets of stairs in a higher-trafficked pool. Make sure as well that the depth of the pool is consistently manageable for your height and endurance. If you are treading water you will need a deeper area to allow for the leg movement, but remain near walls so that you are able to grab on if needed.
Keep yourself or your loved seniors safe with the proper precautions. Never swim alone, and make sure the water and structure of your pool are safe to be in! Enjoy the benefits of swimming with the peace of mind that you are taking care of yourself, and being taken care of.
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