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Severalstudies prove that exercise can be extremely beneficial to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to contributing to cardiovascular fitness, better endurance, and greater strength.

Regular exercise helps people with Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing their motor abilities, reducing the chances of falls, and slowing down the rate of cognitive deterioration. Other advantages related to having a regular exercise routine include better quality of life, memory, and communication abilities.

Rehabilitation and physical therapy play a significant part in helping Alzheimer’s patients incorporate exercise routines that can aid their specific conditions in their daily lives. Rehabilitation therapy helps enhance their senses while maintaining a proper care routine. Here are some other ways in which rehabilitation can help patients with Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders.

Strength Training & Stretching

Maintaining optimal strength can help keep the muscles strong and improve functional mobility. Whether it is about core strengthening activities, abdominal workouts, exercises for healthy knees, or simple morning stretches to strengthen the back and neck, a physical therapist can help you find the proper solutions.

As people age, their bone density and muscle strength can slowly start deteriorating, which is why having a certified physical therapist is beneficial.

Balancing Exercises

Being mobile, strong, and steady on the feet is crucial to staying independent during old age. As a result, engaging in activities that will help older people develop and keep their balance throughout their lives is essential. Improving their balance also helps reduce the risk of falls. Balance exercises should be done regularly and can even be done from the comfort of one's home.

A rehabilitation therapist will begin with easy balancing tasks and work their way up in difficulty as the balance improves. It takes time and effort to improve balance for elderly people with Alzheimer's. So it is important to take it one step at a time, starting with easy exercises that don't strain the joints and then modifying the exercise regime as needed.

Slows Rate of Memory Loss

Regular physical activity and exercises canslow the deterioration of cognitive function and memory and even reduce gray matter shrinkage in the brain. However, older adults with Alzheimer's might find certain physical activities too strenuous.

This is where a professional physical therapist can help. They will be able to evaluate the Alzheimer's patient and create exercise programs that cater to their individual needs and abilities. This way, older adults will have access to a safe and comfortable way to keep their bodies and minds active and healthy.

People with Alzheimer's can benefit from regular exercise in several ways. A trained and certified physical therapist will be able to assist with the most beneficial exercises and activities that are customized to each individual’s unique situation. Learn how Preferred Therapy Solutions' clinical model can assist your facility. Contact Jim MacManus, Director of Business Development at jmacmanus@preftherapy.com. #itsallaboutthepatient.

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