As a senior, you may be looking for ways to improve your health, manage stress, and fight off diseases like diabetes and heart disease, for which older adults have an elevated risk. There is a common misconception that walking isn’t intense enough to provide the cardiovascular benefits that other aerobic exercises do.

When we were younger, clumsiness typically only cost us a fleeting moment of embarrassment. But getting older means the stakes are higher, as falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older adults. A broken bone could lead to serious health problems, and a simple accident, like tripping over a rug or slipping on an icy walkway, can change your life instantly.

Luckily, falls are not inevitable, and there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of a severe fall, such as:

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but it can be challenging for seniors to find the motivation to stay active or even know where to begin. Since seniors are at higher risk than other age groups for developing chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, regular exercise can play a critical role in helping seniors manage chronic conditions. Further, regular exercise can prevent further injury and keep seniors living at home where they will have a higher quality of life during their golden years.