The benefits of regular exercise in people with Alzheimer’s disease include maintenance of motor skills, decreased falls, and reduced rate of functional decline. Improved behavior, improved memory, and better communication skills are a few other benefits associated with routine exercise programs in Alzheimer’s disease.
Physical therapy plays an important role in exercise for patients with Alzheimer’s disease by tailoring routines to meet the individual needs of each patient.
Researchers have found that patients who were treated with exercise showed less depression than those in the control groups and showed marked improvements in physical functioning. Here are some examples of exercises to start:
Beginner
- Stand up straight behind a tall chair or at a countertop.
- Lightly grasp the chair or countertop with your fingertips.
- Raise one leg a foot off the ground.
- Maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
- Hold for a count of 10 seconds.
- Repeat with the other leg.
- Perform five times on each leg.
Intermediate
- Stand up straight behind a tall chair or at a countertop for safety only.
- Without holding onto the chair or countertop, raise one leg a foot off the ground.
- Maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
- Hold for a count of 10 seconds.
- Repeat with the other leg.
- Perform five times on each leg.
Advanced
- Stand up straight behind a tall chair or at a countertop for safety only.
- Close both eyes.
- Without holding onto the chair or countertop, raise one leg a foot off the ground.
- Maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
- Hold for a count of 10 seconds.
- Repeat with the other leg.
- Perform five on each leg.
Your physical therapist can also show you which balance exercises may be best for you.
Endurance Exercises
Endurance exercises include any activities that increase your heart rate and respiratory rate. Choose from these fun activities to increase your endurance:
- Dancing
- Yoga
- Gardening
- Housework
- Bowling
- Biking
- Tai Chi
This article brought to you by Pierce Physical Therapy and Verywell Health. June is Alzheimer awareness month.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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