Elderly encouraged to join Akasia walking club
Walking has so many benefits for older people. It can improve their health and well-being as well as help you to live independently for longer.
The Akasia Veterans Walking Club has taken author Henry David Thoreau’s maxim that “an early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day” to heart, and invited the elderly in the community to join their club every Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
“I started the club because I wanted to get off my feet and I know that most elderly spent their time sitting at home and not doing anything,” said the club’s founder, Jude Ngobeni.
“With the walking club, we are given an opportunity to socialise with the rest of the group as well as keeping fit and healthy.”
According to the Better Health Channel, walking has so many benefits for older people.
It can improve their health and well-being as well as help them to live independently for longer.
Walking can:
– Strengthen your muscles.
– Help keep your weight steady.
– Lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer and diabetes.
– Strengthen your bones, and prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (regular walking could halve the number of people over 45 who fracture their hip).
– Help reduce blood pressure in some people with hypertension.
– Improve your balance and co-ordination, and decrease your likelihood of falling.
– Keep your joints flexible.
– Increase your confidence and mood, and help you feel better all-round.
– Improve your energy levels and increase your stamina.
– Reduce anxiety or depression.
– Improve your social life – walking is a great way to get out and meet people or socialise with your friends.
Older people who exercise regularly are more likely to walk without assistance and do things for themselves around the house.
The group meets every Tuesday and Wednesday from 07:00 am at the Uniting Reformed Church in Akasia.
For more information on how you can join, contact Jake Seroka on 082 751 5947 or Jude Ngobeni on 061 506 2962.
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