As dementia is a degenerative brain disease, its signs and symptoms progressively worsen. Dementia causes sensory and motor system alterations over time, which have an impact on balance and gait. As a result, if your loved one’s movement is slowing, it may be a sign that their cognitive processing is changing. We’ll uncover how relocating them to a memory care facility in Manasota, FL, can help them manage their condition.
Why Is Exercising Challenging for Dementia Patients?
Both judgment and visual-spatial perception are impaired by dementia. Since it’s more challenging for them to identify and avoid hazards, your loved one can trip over a rug that has never previously been a trip hazard. Daily actions, even those that used to be so familiar, become more difficult for people with dementia as their forgetfulness worsens.
For instance, your loved one might struggle to manage an activity on their own or carry out certain tasks in the proper sequence. Have the aid and guidance of dedicated personnel around them can curb this issue
Practices to Increase Physical Activity Among Residents with Dementia
Here are some of the strategies our community team employs to encourage physical activity among our residents with dementia:
- We set manageable objectives, especially if your loved one is not very active. In order to avoid harm and get better results, we help them start slowly and build up gradually. For instance, individuals could begin by practicing exercises twice a day that only last less than ten minutes each.
- We keep an eye out for their physical challenges, such as easily becoming tired or exhibiting poor vision or restricted hearing, and adapt activities to your loved one’s capabilities.
- We make workouts enjoyable, and don’t refer to the activities as exercises. We also make sure your loved one has the option to stick to things they have always enjoyed, and provide opportunities to venture out if they desire.
- We utilize simple, easy-to-follow instructions. Complicated behaviors can be reduced to manageable steps, and as each one is mastered, we add the next.
- To help your loved one, we also provide visual cues and reminders. For instance, specialists conducting classes in our community will model the movements, adjust the tempo if necessary, and offer assistance when required.
- We keep a log and acknowledge their achievements. We will take note of your loved one’s physical accomplishments, making sure to praise and motivate them on their journey.
Here are some activities that memory care communities encourage to help those with dementia:
Gardening
For those who have dementia, gardening is a wonderful physical activity since it allows them to obtain some exercise and fresh air. To accommodate different abilities, the activity level can be changed. For instance, weeding and pruning are less physically demanding than raking. These exercises can help the body’s muscles get stronger and enhance breathing. For this reason, many memory care communities provide ample opportunities for residents to garden.
Walking
One of the best strategies to improve physical activity is to walk, as the distance and duration can be adjusted to accommodate different fitness levels. Community team members can take your loved one for a stroll through the park or courtyard.
To check out these helpful initiatives and services available for memory care patients in our community, schedule a tour with us today!
