Exercise

Why exercise is beneficial for a person with dementia

We all know that exercise is good for us, and it can also benefit a person with dementia. 

As a dementia carer, it’s understandable you may have concerns about developing the condition yourself at some stage. However, you may be reassured to know that cardiovascular exercise like walking, jogging, running and cycling can help to lower your risk of developing the disease. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, combined results of 11 studies showed that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia by about 30 per cent, and for Alzheimer’s disease specifically, by 45 per cent. 

Exercise offers many benefits to a person with dementia. Regular exercise can improve blood flow to the brain, meaning the person may have clearer memories of certain events and be more alert. Exercise also releases endorphins – feel good hormones that create feelings of pleasure – which means it can also help to improve the person’s mood and alleviate the risk of depression.

Regular exercise can also lead to better sleep and encourage the person with dementia to have more social contact with others, either through walking or exercise classes. If the person has sleep problems, it’s worth encouraging them to be more physically active if possible, as lack of activity during the day may be the cause. 

What is the best type of exercise for dementia?

It depends on the person and their exercise history. If the person is already active, then supporting them to keep doing their favourite form of exercise is a good idea, provided there is no medical reason why they shouldn’t continue. They may already be a keen runner, for instance, and want to continue doing what brings them pleasure. 

Other forms of more gentle exercise include housework, dog walking, walking up and down stairs and armchair squats – which means standing up slowly and sitting down again. The main thing is to avoid long periods of inactivity.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, Tai chi can also be beneficial, as it involves slow and simple movements to improve balance and strength. Yoga and Pilates, which also improve overall strength, are also beneficial. 

If the person can’t stand or move around very easily, Alzheimer’s Society recommends some seated exercises, as follows:

• Marching their feet

• Raising the arms overhead

• Cycling with their legs

• Raising their arms out to the side and then moving them in small circles

It’s important to understand that any movement will be beneficial. Walking, dancing or gardening will benefit the person if they enjoy these activities. Indoor bowls or Skittles can also be a good idea as they require balance and hand-eye coordination, keeping the mind and body active. 

If the person likes walking or dancing but finds it difficult to stand for long periods, there may be a local seated dance class or an armchair workout class. Anything that encourages movement and brings pleasure is a good thing.