Exercise

December is rolling along so quickly! With holiday reminders everywhere, this is a good time to think about the ways we can bring cheer. The posts in Dementia Detours attempt to provide interaction and connection as well as offer guidelines for ease of care.
Last week’s focus on Word Play was the first post to discuss the Brainy Day Program, which is an Activity Program for engaging individuals with dementia in activity pursuits.
This week we will talk about the benefits of exercise. There are numerous reasons, based on research, for everyone to participate in some form of exercise if at all possible. Not only does it get the blood flowing but it helps with limbering up muscles, decreasing stiffness and improving moods.
Some of the things to keep in mind when inviting someone with dementia to participate in an exercise program:
1. Be aware of the need to simplify directions
2. Use props
3. Make it fun!
4. Less is more – the session can be short and sweet.
5. Try to exercise at the same time daily.
It is important to simplify directions because it can be difficult for the person with advancing dementia to follow along. The use of props, ribbons, stretch bands, balls, increases the cues that enable the individual to see what is expected in the exercise movement. It is so important to have fun when exercising. There are so many ways to incorporate laughter. Lively music, exaggerated gestures, making mistakes and laughing at yourself are a few simple suggestions. Fifteen minutes of fun and laughter is better than thirty minutes to an hour of movement just for the sake of exercise. It is not as important that the individual spend a large amount of time in fitness. Start slow and increase as endurance builds. What is helpful, though, is to try to schedule the exercise at the same time everyday.
With the Brainy day Program, our exercise product is the Wheelee Ball. It is good for all of the reasons mentioned above. The instructions on using it are on the laminated card that is included and they are simple and easy to use. The wheelee ball itself is a prop and when an individual watches the demonstrations on exercising with the ball, it is easier for them to follow along. There are many things that can be done with it that promote laughter and fun. Tossing it like a saucer, using it like a ball, improving wrist and finger dexterity or stretching limbs with the exercise instructions, all benefit the individual with dementia in doing regular exercise.
Exercise is a detour for dementia. And by pursuing that detour, the life of the individual can be an advantage. Go for it! Mary Ann