Regular exercising helps control weight, contributes to healthy bones, muscles and joints, reduces falls among older adults, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician visits and medications.
 
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related diseases also need physical activity for the same reasons. In fact, a person living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may need a regular exercise program even more.  A 2003 study conducted by the University of Washington, Department of Psychosocial and Community Health found exercise training, combined with teaching caregivers behavioral management techniques, improved physical health and depression in patients with AD.  Another study conducted in Toulouse France, published in the Journal of American Geriatric Society in February 2007, found a simple exercise program, one hour twice a week, led to a significantly slower decline in activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Early Stage

It is important for individuals first diagnosed with early stage or early onset AD to begin a recreational exercise program if not already involved in one. Fight back.  Do something positive for yourself.  Get in shape.*  An exercise program will help combat stress by decreasing the release of stress hormones and improving the body’s ability to respond to stress. 

Exercise can also provide an excellent opportunity for socialization, to fight the feeling of isolation.  Find an exercise buddy, so you both can maintain motivation.  Your exercise buddy can be a spouse, family member or good friend.  Find someone who also needs to exercise, someone who will continue to exercise with you as the disease progresses. 

Mid-Stage

Exercise is just as important for Mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease as it is for early stage.

Focus on four key areas to help maintain functional independence:
  
 1) Endurance exercises to increase stamina.
 2) Range-of-motion and flexibility exercises for mobility and fall prevention.
 3) Resistance training to maintain and build muscle tone for balance and stability, and to enhance up-right seated and standing postures in daily life.
 4) Breathing exercises for relaxation and for respiration health which becomes increasingly important with a sedentary life style. 

This article is written by Denise Murray. Denise is a certified Tai Chi for arthritis instructor, trained Arthritis Foundation exercise program instructor, and registered yoga teacher.