Why Flexibility Is Important for Older Adults

Laqueeta Coleman • February 1, 2024
Flexibility is important, no matter one’s age, but flexibility is especially important to the overall health of older adults. Incorporating a consistent stretching routine will help improve range of motion, balance, circulation, muscle tone and posture, and you will find yourself moving around with greater ease.

Stretching is one way to increase flexibility. It is a form of physical exercise in which a specific muscle or tendon is deliberately expanded and flexed in order to improve the muscles’ felt elasticity and achieve comfortable muscle tone.

You may think that stretching is something only athletes perform, but we all need to stretch to protect our mobility and independence. Without stretching, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk of joint pain, strains and muscle damage.

The idea of a daily stretching routine may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to stretch every muscle you have. The areas critical for mobility are in your lower extremities: calves, hamstrings, hip flexors and quadriceps. Stretching your shoulders, neck and lower back is also beneficial.

The first step in improving your flexibility is to get moving more each day. Even just walking more is going to set wheels in motion to improve your flexibility. Other activities that increase flexibility include yoga, Pilates, swimming, dancing, tai chi and massage. Don’t overcomplicate it! Keep it simple. Take small, progressive steps and stay consistent. 


Laqueeta comes to GBU Life with a passion for building and fostering relationships in the community. She is an entrepreneur with a strong customer service background and is an active member in the community. As the District Engagement Specialist for the Great Lakes Region, she will assist district leaders and members in engaging and growing membership through fraternal activity.

By Lesley Mann May 29, 2025
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
April 22, 2025
GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
February 5, 2025
Looking for new spots to explore this winter? Check out these three must-visit places for your next adventure.
January 21, 2025
Details and deadlines surrounding the GBU Foundation scholarship and grants for 2025.
January 3, 2025
Looking to try some new recipes this winter?
January 3, 2025
We've found some tips to keep up your sleeve this winter.
January 3, 2025
The Defined Benefit Annuity from GBU Life can help you to create a plan for a guaranteed income in retirement by making regular contributions based on your retirement income targets.
January 3, 2025
Graduating from college is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the perfect time to focus on your financial future. Building on the foundation you’ve already laid the groundwork for with smart money choices will set you up for long-term success. Here are a few key financial products to consider as you take the next step.
January 3, 2025
Kick-start your child’s journey to financial success with a whole life policy from GBU Life.
January 3, 2025
How well do you know the characters from the hit TV series The Office? Watch your reruns and get ready to test your skills in our winter trivia contest!
More Posts