Staying physically active is an important part of everyone’s life no matter what stage they are in. There may be differences in how they stay active and what activities they can do, but even in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, encouraging daily physical activity is a great way to add stimulation and enjoyment to her day.
Activity Benefits for Alzheimer’s Patients
Having regular physical activity can help your senior loved one with many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Physical activity can help your loved one sleep better at night.
- It can help boost memory.
- It will reduce the risk of other health complications such as obesity or heart disease which can speed up the progression of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
- It reduces stress and anxiety. Being physically active helps the brain to release endorphins which increase feelings of well-being.
- It increases your loved one’s ability to connect with the people around her as well as the environment that she is in.
Six Ways to Get Your Senior Loved One Moving
Finding activities that your loved one enjoys and is willing to participate in is the key to helping her stay active. She might need encouragement to perform some activities or need someone to join her for her to get started. You might also find that something she loved to do last week, she no longer shows interest in. If that happens, be ready to pivot and try something new until that spark is relit.
- Walking. Walking is one of the best and often easiest activities to enjoy. At this point, your loved one will need a companion on walks so take this time to connect and reminisce about her neighborhood as you walk through it.
- Gardening. If your loved one has always enjoyed gardening, there’s no need for her to stop now. She might need a bit more guidance with weeding or harvesting, but it can still be an enjoyable activity that gets her out in the fresh air.
- Bicycling. While she might not be able to ride a 2-wheeler anymore, a stationary bike might be a great way to get some movement in safely.
- Dancing. Music is a great motivator and your loved one can dance in her living room with some of her favorite music. She might want some company so be ready to dance along with your loved one to some of her favorite songs.
- Cleaning. With some help, your loved one can still help clean the house. You might have her fold laundry or match socks. She can dry dishes or sweep floors. All of these help her feel like she’s still responsible for her home.
- Cooking. With supervision, spending time in the kitchen preparing a meal is another great way to be active and get some needed movement into her day.
Alzheimer’s Care Providers Can Help Keep Your Senior Active
If you are overwhelmed with many of the responsibilities that come with caring for your elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, having someone come to the home and help with Alzheimer’s care is a great alternative. Your Alzheimer’s care provider can help by encouraging physical activity and leading your loved one in activities that will benefit her both mentally and physically. Their skill can help you find new ways to keep your loved one engaged in the world around her so you can enjoy more time together.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care in Weston, MA, please contact the caring staff at PlatinumCare + today. Call (617) 237-0867.
PlatinumCare + was born out of the desire and passion to provide the very best home health care possible in Brookline, Dover, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Weston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Boston MA, and surrounding areas.
All with decades of experience, Tim in IT Operations, Support, and Management, Brenda in Client Relations, Healthcare Services & Sales Management, and Anne in Healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner combined their skills to form what is now PlatinumCare +.
As immigrants to the US, all came from backgrounds where Healthcare for aging parents was a responsibility of the immediate family and the entire community. Aging, sick, or terminal community members were cared for physically, emotionally, and financially by family, friends, including strangers! This community approach, Healthcare with a difference, delivered with the utmost love, care, sacrifice, and passion, forms the basis of how PlatinumCare + grounds itself.
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