Alzheimer's disease affects roughly half of Americans older than 85 and is the seventh leading cause of death in America, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's affects the entire body from mental cognition to physical activity. Understanding basic types of exercises for Alzheimer's patients improves a person's quality of life. When performing any type of exercise, focus on what a person accomplishes instead of what they cannot accomplish. Remember to keep exercises simple; break down each step into simple, easy-to-perform tasks.
Physical Exercises
Physical exercise is one of the leading preventative measures a person can take to decrease mental decline, according to the Mayo Clinic. Thirty minutes of exercise daily may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. For those already diagnosed with the condition, it is important to continue physical activity and not develop a sedentary lifestyle. Take a walk outdoors. Utilize a community's hallways if the Alzheimer's patient lives in a care center. Ensure shoes are tied and placed on the appropriate feet before exercise begins.
If a person is wheelchair bound, encourage her to propel herself instead of being pushed. Practice chair exercises and use props such as batons, ribbons, canes and pom poms. Play music from the era of the patient to promote a positive and invigorating environment. Have the Alzheimer's patient follow the movement of props in the rhythm of the music. According to website Activity Therapy, the music and props help Alzheimer's patients exercise hand and arm muscles, as well as promote visual stimulation.
Mental Excercises
Exercise your brain's cognitive reserve and reduce the risk of memory loss by performing mental exercises daily. According to The Franklin Institute, brain exercises may even encourage the brain to create new neurological connections. Simple exercises include driving home using a different route or brushing hair with the opposite hand. Mental exercises can be fun and include card games, Dominos and crossword puzzles. Learn a new language, how to play a musical instrument or how to draw simple images. Brain exercises stimulate Alzheimer's patients. A simple mental activity is to help an Alzheimer's patient compose lists. Work on lists for topics such as all the items required to build a house, items needed to throw a party or what to pack when going on a tropical vacation.
Life Skills and Reminiscence Exercises
Alzheimer's patients need to experience self worth and a positive quality of life. Incorporate a variety life skills and reminiscence exercises in an Alzheimer's patient's day. Do not focus on how the exercises or activities are being performed, rather focus on the act itself. Life skill activities include folding laundry, stuffing envelopes, setting the table, sorting silverware and making a bed. Practice reminiscence exercises to focus on one's self worth and to identify with the aging process. Reminiscing emphasizes to an Alzheimer's patient they are still important and their life has not been forgotten. Bring out an old wedding gown and talk about how a person met their spouse. Allow the patient to feel the different fabrics of the gown for tactile stimulation. Discuss favorite holidays and recipes. Bring out photo albums and share thoughts about previous vacations and summer trips.
