Articles

Physical Exercise and Dementia

15/02/2017

It is a well-known fact that exercise or body movement is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Especially in elderly people, it is very important that they stay active.

Dementia clients also will benefit from exercise, even if it is only 30 minutes of light movement daily. The Alzheimer’s Association has said that exercise is one of the best things we as carers can encourage for our clients.

While dementia clients may need to be shown repeatedly what you would like them to do, any form of exercise will often serve as a distraction from other things such as repetitive questions.

 

Ideally, the exercises you plan with your dementia client should:

1)  Compensate for abilities they can no longer perform. If reaching to the ground is now impossible, then do something else.

2)  Use the residual skills and do not try to involve new learning. Remember that your client will not be able to learn new exercises. Rather focus on what they can do. If your client has difficulty standing, there is no point trying to do any exercises which may cause them to fall over. Instead, focus on seated things, using equipment that they are familiar with such as small balls.

3)  Promote their self-esteem. Encouragement! That’s the word! Remember that they are doing the best they possibly can and be generous in your praise.

4)  Remember that even walking outside is exercise. You can combine this with an outing in the park to feed the ducks, or a walk to visit a friend. While your client with dementia may not remember where you have been by the time you get home, they will have enjoyed the moment, and had some fresh air and exercise.

5)  Take into account your client’s culture. This is very important as the last thing you want to do is offend the family by doing something that culturally thy disapprove of. Find out whether it is acceptable to do before you start. 

 

When you plan something, take into account things such as the best time to do anything. Most of your clients will have a good time, when they are at their best, and not tired.

Allow enough time to do what you have planned, and then add extra time! Things seldom work out as we plan, so just a few minutes will take the stress off you to hurry up and move on.

Break activities into simple parts. While your client may not be able to do a full routine, they may be able to do things, one section at a time. Keep things simple and communicate clearly with them.

Use a safe space. People with dementia have trouble with co-ordination and visual perception. Make sure surface areas are uncluttered, lighting is good, noise and distraction are kept to a minimum.

Be aware that the level of activity may change from day to day. Just because you had a good walk yesterday, does not mean that today will be the same or better. Activities can be adjusted to suit the level on the day and your client should never feel that they have let you down, should they have a bad day.

As a carer, you should try to encourage some form of exercise each day – unless there is a reason not to. Try to be aware of the energy level and ability of your client. Try – above all – to make exercise fun!