8 Best Exercises for Seniors with Alzheimer's Disease

Exercise is one of the few holistic methods that have the power to improve the overall well-being of seniors who have developed Alzheimer’s disease. Take cues from some of the best physical activities provided at Alzheimer’s housing assisted living communities.

 

1.    Morning Walks

If your senior loved one has no problems with moving around, then you can encourage them to do morning walks in the park, around the neighborhood, or on a treadmill.

Walking every day for at least 30 minutes can help improve their physique and stave off some Alzheimer’s symptoms like sun downing. Furthermore, it enhances their mood and helps them sleep better at night. Plus, it is free, and they can do it anywhere with their loved ones and caregivers.

 

2.    Yoga

Another low-impact exercise that does fantastic benefits to your senior loved one’s health is yoga. This type of activity involves stretching while lying down, sitting, or with the help of a chair. Practicing yoga has numerous advantages to the aging body, including:

●       Strengthening the bones and joints.

●       Improving balance, coordination, flexibility, core strength, and mobility.

●       Relieves body aches and pains.

●       Relieves stress

●       Keeps the senior in a positive mood.

Moreover, yoga can reduce your loved one’s risk of having other chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

3.    Sitting and Standing Exercises

Seniors who have a hard time doing physical activities can instead participate in simple and guided exercises. This includes the sit-to-stand routine, standing and sitting exercises, and simple stretching.

 

4.    Dancing

Dancing is a fun activity that can serve as both an exercise and a recreational hobby. It gets their heart pumping and body moving while allowing their minds to relax and have fun!

Additionally, dancing serves as a therapeutic activity that lets seniors express themselves and revisit memories that elicit a joyful feeling. You can invite them to dance to their favorite music in the living room or organize a dance party in their Alzheimer’s housing assisted living community.

 

5.    Water Aerobics

If your senior loved one enjoyed swimming during their younger days, then they will surely appreciate a workout routine in their favorite environment. You can enroll your loved one in local fitness studios that offer senior-friendly water aerobics.

 

6.    Basic House Chores

Running out of senior-friendly workout routine ideas for your senior loved one? Don’t worry; letting them do simple household tasks like vacuuming, sweeping, and raking already constitutes as exercise.

Light household chores not only serve as a form of exercise for older adults; they can also bring them great joy as they become productive and fulfill each task. Furthermore, accomplishing these chores will make them feel useful, independent, and valuable to the household.

7.    Gardening

Gardening is also an excellent way to exercise the joints and strengthen the muscles. In fact, studies showed that garden upkeep activities (e.g., raking, weeding) could already burn up to 300 calories if you do it for at least 30 minutes a day.

 

8.    Tai-chi

Like yoga, tai-chi is a senior-friendly and low-impact exercise that can bring incredible benefits to your loved one’s fitness level. Older adults might also prefer it to other workouts since tai-chi involves dance-like execution and routines.