How Caregivers Can Reduce Symptoms of Dementia Through Exercise
October 2016, I lost my grandfather to dementia in. He taught art to children from high school to elementary. He made many beautiful paintings but the most amazing piece of artwork he created was the Zepf family and the values he instilled within the family. I only hope to have amassed the amount of greatness he had in his lifetime and will forever have this huge mark you've painted on my heart. Going through the experience of watching him battle the disease developed a passion to educate the community about the disease. Dementia is a global problem and is the second leading cause of death in the United States. As dementia becomes a more prevalent medical condition almost everyone can say they have been affected, whether it’s a family member, friend, or relative of someone you know. We must work together to find a cure for this terrible disease. Until then it’s our responsibility to do what we can as caregivers, friends and family members of individuals with dementia. We must helpsupport families by providing resources to prepare them and help maintain their best quality of life.
Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder described as a set of symptoms that may include memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and language. A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behavior, these changes are minimal and start small. Dementia symptoms result when the nerve cells in the brain stop functioning, lose connections with other cells, and die. This makes it difficult or impossible to store new memories or access old ones which will eventually interfere with daily living
Can it be cured?
Dementia has no known cure. There are a few medications that can provide partial, temporary relief in the early stages-but they are ineffective against cognitive decline and physical deterioration. Deterioration will gradually spread through the brain and cause symptoms to worsen.Dementia is always fatal, and It is believed the disease begins to develop in the brain up to 20 years before the first symptoms occur.
Can it be prevented?
Although there’s no cure for dementia yet, there are actions that one can take to reduce the risk for dementia and, in some cases, slow the progression of the disease.According to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, aerobic exercise can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50 percent. Exercise protects dementia by stimulating the brain to maintain and create new connections. This can also slow further deterioration in those who have already started to develop cognitive problems.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE ON DEMENTIA PATIENTS
A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.This makes finding pleasureor purpose challenging buttoo muchtimespent not movingcan make patients feel lonely, depressedand agitated. Providing an exercise plan or incorporating physical activity into their daily routine can improve quality of life, self-confidence and help them feel involved in their life. It is important that this program does not follow a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, exercise should be customized toeach individual since patients will have different interests and motivations .A new study shows that teaching caregivers a simplified home exercise program and training them in behavioral management techniques can help prevent disability and maintain quality of life through all stages of the disease.Exercise program should:
- promote self-esteem
- maintain residual skills and not involve new learning
- provide an opportunity for enjoyment, pleasure and social contact
HOW CAREGIVERS CAN ENCOURAGE EXERCISE
Encouraging someone with dementia to perform daily exercises will decreasing the risk of falls and related injuries, increase or maintain physical strength and maintaina person’s ability to move within a living space. This may not always be easy, especially if they haven’t exercised regularly in the past.
Suggestions for positive results:
- Normalize the task- don’t refer to it as an exercise but treat it as just another regular task in their daily routine or as a fun special activity like a “dance party.” Movement and rhythm are often retained
- Start low go slow- Over a period of months, add one extra minute at a time until the person can comfortably exercise for 30 minutes.
- Demonstrate the activity yourself and ask the person to follow your lead.
- Keep activity’s interesting- mixing it up will help prevent boredom and improve motivation
5. Choose a good time- Use times that suit the person’s best level of functioning. For example, sometimes walking is best done in the morning or early afternoon. For people who become restless later in the day or who have had a particularly long or meaningless day, a late afternoon walk may be better.
- Provide positive feeling- Contact with babies, children or animals provide positive feelings.
WHAT EXERCISE SHOULD YOU DO?
1. Traditional exercise:resistance training and walking routines. This will improve strength and physical function and enhance cognitive function thereby aiding them in performing everyday activities.
- Restorative yoga:“Restorative yoga is a lower intensity form of yoga focused on breathing, posture, and gentle movements. will improve physical function, enhance cognitive function and improve quality of life.- Alexandra Black, 5 Types of Exercise for People with Dementia, Health.gov.
- Supervised Exercise Therapy:provided by physiotherapists and occupational therapists that is focused on patient-specific goals is shown to improve physical function and quality of life.
- Gardening:something simple like raking or pulling weeds gives a sense of accomplishment and is a great workout
- Household chores:basic chores can be great exercise, like folding laundry, dusting, light vacuuming, or washing the car
6. Aquatic:The buoyancy of water makes it a low impact setting for exercises, while also providing the natural resistance for muscle gain andcan also help stimulate blood flow to the brain and help improve sleep.Local area senior centers, YMCAs and gyms may offer programs for seniors; inquire if caregivers can participate as well.
SAFTEY CONCERNS AND SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Exercise can be helpful for people with dementia, but it is important that activities are safe.Suggestions:
Exercise can be helpful for people with dementia, but it is important that activities are safe.Suggestions:
1. Speak with the person’s doctor and physiotherapist about appropriate exercise as the person’s condition progresses.
- For outside activities, make sure the person is wearing a medical alert bracelet or pendant, and identification, in case they wander off and get lost.
- Use weight machines rather than dumbbells or barbells that can be dropped.
- If the person can still talk while exercising, they’re in a comfortable aerobic state. Keep the conversation flowing to monitor how puffed they’re getting. Slow it down if they can’t talk without gasping.
WHERE TO GET HELP
· Community Resource Finder: A database of local programs and services, housing and care options, and legal experts all in one location, allowing you to quickly search, find and access support. Your local community health center
· National Dementia Helpline tel. 800.272.3900 - Free service from specialists and master’s-level clinicians that provide confidential support and information to people living with the disease
· Live Well Online Resources: Free interactive tools that helps you navigate the personal and emotional challenges accompanying an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and provides personalized steps for living well with the disease.
· Support of friends and family can help with the challenges and frustrations ahead.
About the Author
“Abigail Zepf is currently a studying at Westfield State University. She will be graduating this year in May 2020, with a B.S in Movement Science - Concentration Sports Medicine and Gerontology minor.She has a keen interest in exercise medicine, gerontology research and strength and conditioning training in old age. She hopes to continue her education to achieve a Master of Science in Occupational therapy and one day help others achieve their goals.”
Resources
References
- Erickson KI, Voss MW, Prakash RS, Basak C, Szabo A, Chaddock L, et al. Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2011 Feb 15;108(7):3017–22.
- Feter N, Penny JC, Freitas MP, Rombaldi AJ. Effect of physical exercise on hippocampal volume in adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Sports [Internet]. 2018 Apr [cited 2018 Nov 4]; Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0765159718301539
- Firth J, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Schuch F, Lagopoulos J, Rosenbaum S, et al. Effect of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volume in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. NeuroImage. 2018 Feb;166:230–8.
- Erickson KI, Leckie RL, Weinstein AM. Physical activity, fitness, and gray matter volume. Neurobiol Aging. 2014 Sep;35 Suppl 2:S20-28.
- Sexton CE, Betts JF, Demnitz N, Dawes H, Ebmeier KP, Johansen-Berg H. A systematic review of MRI studies examining the relationship between physical fitness and activity and the white matter of the ageing brain. NeuroImage. 2016 01;131:81–90.
6. Potter, R., Ellard, D., Rees, K. and Thorogood, M. (2011), A systematic review of the effects of physical activity on physical functioning, quality of life and depression in older people with dementia. Int. J. Geriat. Psychiatry, 26: 1000-1011.
Comments
Post a Comment