Activity and Exercise

Staying active within the confines of Alzheimer’s Disease is important and challenging. As a caregiver you may need to re-think the basics of each day and keep your expectations realistic. Consider the following when planning the day with an Alzheimer’s patient.

Activities

What to do all day? Finding activities that the person with AD can do and is interested in can be a challenge. Building on current skills generally works better than trying to teach something new.

  • Don’t expect too much. Simple activities often are best, especially when they use current abilities.
  • Help the person get started on an activity. Break the activity down into small steps and offer praise for each step he or she completes.
  • Watch for signs of agitation or frustration with an activity. Gently help or distract the person into a different activity when that occurs.
  • Incorporate activities that seem to be enjoyable into your daily routine and try to do them at a similar time each day.
  • Take advantage of adult day services, which provide various activities for the person with AD, as well as an opportunity for caregivers to gain temporary relief from tasks associated with caregiving. Transportation and meals often are provided.

Exercise

Incorporating exercise into the daily routine has benefits for both the AD patient and the caregiver. Not only can it improve health, but it also can provide a meaningful activity for all to share.

  • Think about what kind of physical activities you both enjoy, perhaps walking, swimming, tennis, dancing, or gardening. Determine the time of day and place where this type of activity would work best.
  • Be realistic in your expectations. Build slowly, perhaps just starting with a short walk around the yard, for example, before progressing to a walk around the block.
  • Be aware of any discomfort or signs of overexertion. Consult with his/her doctor if this happens.
  • Allow as much independence as possible, even if it means a less-than-perfect garden or a scoreless tennis match.
  • See what kinds of exercise programs are available in your area. Senior centers may have group programs for people who enjoy exercising with others. Local malls often have walking clubs and provide a place to exercise when the weather is bad.
  • Encourage physical activities as it usually enhances sleep. Spend time outside when the weather permits.

Source: National Institute on Aging, one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health.