San Gabriel Valley Offers Safe Walking Choices For Seniors

Walking is a wonderful way for seniors to get exercise. As you may already know, getting enough exercise is a critical factor in staying healthy. Seniors who stay active are more likely to avoid such debilitating health problems as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, developing and maintaining some muscle tone is an excellent strategy for preventing many of the falls that may lead to serious injuries and even death. Walking regularly may also enable a senior to keep from becoming depressed or anxious.

Once the elder in your life makes the decision to walk on a regular basis, the next step is to decide where to engage in this beneficial activity. Walking in the neighborhood is usually a good option if the area is safe. However, this can quickly get boring for anyone. Fortunately, there are many other places that a senior can walk in the San Gabriel Valley. Don’t forget that you don’t need to feel alone in your efforts to help your elder get exercise. You can always hire caregivers from a licensed San Gabriel Valley home care company to assist your senior on walking outings.

Park Walking

Walking in a local park is an ideal way to get some fresh air and exercise, and a park can also be a great place to people-watch. Sycamore Canyon Park in Diamond Bar is a safe, clean, family-friendly location that offers plenty of flat land that a senior might navigate easily. If the elder in your life is up for more of a challenge, the park also offers trail hiking with a lovely view of the surrounding area. The scenery is breathtaking and includes a running creek and huge, old trees. Some of the walking trail also features a handrail to hold onto, so this could be the perfect place to take your beloved senior.

Another park worth checking out is Lacy Park in San Marino. This location spans 30 acres, and it features two walking loops, open green areas, and a variety of foliage that is beautiful to behold. The park is free to San Marino residents, and non-residents may be required to pay a small fee (under $5) on weekends or holidays.

Walking at the Mall

Mall walking has become an increasingly popular activity over the last several decades. This is likely due to the fact that many malls are indoors, so people can walk without being exposed to unpleasant weather conditions. Mall walking also enables individuals to get exercise in a safe environment that is not dark or isolated. On mall that a senior in your life may enjoy walking around is the Westfield Santa Anita mall in Arcadia. This is an open-air mall that features fun boutiques and places to get snacks once the business of walking is done.

The Village Claremont in Claremont provides plenty of walking room near its 150 businesses (including restaurants, shops, salons and galleries). If the senior you know enjoys viewing art, the Village offers an art walk on the first Saturday of every month. There is also a farmers and artisans market every Sunday, so your elderly loved ones will always have something fun to look forward to when they walk at or near this location.

Exploring a Historic District

The Old Pasadena Historic District is another great place for seniors to stretch their legs and warm their muscles. The elderly person in your life can walk past 200 shops while staying in shape. This lovely district also offers a vast assortment of restaurants and cafes. The architecture in this area alone makes a trip to Old Pasadena well worth the effort. Walking tours are available to those who want to learn more about this district, which is the oldest commercial area in Pasadena. There is plenty of ground worth covering in this picturesque part of the San Gabriel Valley.

Seniors must get adequate exercise in order to remain in the best possible condition – both physically and emotionally. Walking is a beneficial form of exercise, and unlike many other types of more strenuous activities, the elderly can walk at their own pace. If you know a senior in the San Gabriel Valley, you might recommend daily walks in places such as local parks, shopping malls, and historic districts. This geographical area has much to offer in the way of safe and interesting places to go walking.

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