Social connection and physical activity are great for confidence and mental wellbeing, so don’t assume that the person you’re caring for has to stop getting out and about. Here are things that are particularly beneficial for those living with dementia:
Staying connected
Try to prevent the person you’re caring for from being isolated – try to encourage them to make an effort to see family and connect or reconnect with friends. If this means combining seeing a loved one with a walk, so much the better. If you feel they need to make new friends, try encouraging them to join a leisure centre, library or sports club. You can find a list of activities in your area here <Link to What’s On>
Being outdoors
Whether it’s gardening, a walk around the park or a stroll to the shops, there are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors and some fresh air – all of these things enhance mood and boost wellbeing.
Enjoying exercise
According to the Alzheimer’s Society <https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/active#:~:text=It%20reduces%20the%20risk%20of,some%20people%20with%20dementia%20feel>, staying physically active has a huge range of benefits for those living with dementia. These include staying flexible and strong which helps a person with dementia’s ability to dress and undress and get in and out of a bath.
Being agile improves balance and stability and lessens the chance of having a fall. Building bone strength means that if a person with dementia were to have a fall, they have a lower risk of suffering a break or fracture, which in turn reduces the chances of ending up in hospital.
If the person you’re caring for already has an activity they enjoy, help them to find a way to carry on doing it. If you feel they’d benefit from trying something new, here are some dementia-friendly ways of staying active:
Pilates, tai chi or yoga
Swimming
Dancing
Walking
Running
Bowls
Tennis or table tennis
Cycling
Some sports clubs and gyms run special sessions for people living with dementia, for example, dementia-friendly golf and tennis. You can find an activity near you here <Link to What’s On> and find ideas suggested by other dementia carers here <Link to Conversations>
5 ways to stay active at home
Leaving the house isn’t always possible, but there are some simple and fun ways to move about and stay active from home that you can both join in with, including:
1. Marching on the spot – try doing it while you’re both waiting for the kettle to boil – music, optional!
2. Dusting and digging – housework and gardening count as exercise!
3. Seated squatting – from sitting in a chair, stand up slowly. Repeat
4. Stair climbing – walk carefully up and down stairs a few times – be there in case they need support with this
5. Stretching – this can be done while watching TV
A special word about music
Music, in all its forms, is beneficial. From helping concentration levels to reducing anxiety and improving speech and language skills, music is especially good for those living with dementia. According to Dementia UK https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/living-with-dementia/music-and-dementia/ music can even help with managing pain.
So, whether the person you’re looking after enjoys listening to it or making it, music is brilliant for brain health and physical wellbeing. And if you can encourage the enjoyment of music while dancing the person you’re caring for will enjoy increased benefits. So, put some music on and dance around until you’re both out of breath. Or join a community choir – the benefits of singing with others are well documented.
Check out what activities are on in your area <Link to What’s on>
Share ideas with others here <Link to Conversation>
Source:
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/staying-independent/dementia-staying-active-community
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/living-with-dementia/activities/
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/staying-sharp/
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/exercise/types-ideas