Elderly folk living in Bahrain could soon be able to enjoy a ‘senior stroll’ and keep fit and healthy with exclusive early morning access to the country’s public parks, gardens and walkways.
They may be able to practise light sporting activities and use fitness equipment too for a couple of hours from 6am or earlier.
The Southern Municipal Council, at its meeting yesterday at the Southern Municipality headquarters in Riffa, unanimously approved the proposal to open municipal facilities earlier for the elderly.
The move, spearheaded by Mohammed Daraj, comes supported by 100 requests from residents aged 60 and above living in the Southern Governorate.
Mr Daraj
“Most of the facilities located in residential areas open at 10am, when elderly people are either at day care homes, resting at home or are busy babysitting their grandchildren,” said the council’s technical committee chairman Ahmed Al Abdulla.
“Also, most of them prefer to tackle light sports at dawn following Fajr prayers, when there is a gentle breeze in the air and they have woken up fresh from a good night’s sleep.”
Al Muhajereen Garden in East Riffa
Health experts recommend walking at least 150 minutes weekly for adults 65 and older. Studies have repeatedly shown it can help improve circulation and blood pressure.
Walking can also help seniors remain mentally sharp with age. Studies show exercise can help protect the ageing brain from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as age-related memory decline was lower in those who walked more.
Mr Al Abdulla said experimenting with a 6am timing for six months in selected municipal facilities would show if the move needed to be expanded or original timings returned.
Mr Al Abdulla
Any changes would also require security guards and caretakers to open up, clean and check equipment at parks, walkways and gardens earlier than usual.
Unfenced or ungated parks, gardens and walkways located close to main roads are already open 24/7. Unfortunately, most are beyond the reach of many elderly residents, who might need someone to drive them to the locations, added Mr Al Abdulla.
The early opening move could also be popular with other age groups. Younger people surveyed also preferred the 6am timing as it would allow them chance to exercise before showering and getting ready for work.
Surveyed civil servants even suggested an earlier opening time, the meeting heard, especially those who have to start work at 7am or drop their children at school. They suggested 5am.
If approved by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak, the early rise proposal for the elderly could start with a six-month trial at Al Muhajereen Garden, as well as Ibn Al Juzri and Alwafaa Parks in East Riffa.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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