Why is Exercise Important?

Exercise keeps our bodies in shape. It keeps our muscles, joints, and everything inside of us working better. It also helps us lose weight, sleep better, and it can improve our mood.

Exercise is important for someone with dementia.  It not only helps them feel better, it also helps them to do more things for themselves, for as long as possible. It helps give them strength, balance, and good flexibility. Some research says that exercising every day might help people with mild dementia keep their memory and thinking skills longer.

Staying Safe with Exercise

You should make sure someone with dementia is safe while exercising. If possible, they should exercise with someone else. This is very important if they take medicine that might make them dizzy or if they get tired easily.  If they do exercise alone, have them wear an ID bracelet  with your phone number. Comfortable clothes and shoes that fit well are also important.

Several 10-minute workouts may be best, instead of one long one. Drinking plenty of water is important. Drink before and after exercise.

Here are some exercises to try at home. Start with one set and build up from there.

Toe Stands

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• Hold the backrest of a sturdy chair and stand hip width apart.
• Lift your heels as much as possible then bring them back to floor. Repeat this movement 10 times for one set. 
• Rock back on your heels and lift your toes to stretch between sets.

Chair Sit-to-Stand to Sit

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• Sit on a sturdy chair and cross your arms on the chest.
• Rise from the chair to a fully up right position and then slowly return to a sitting position.
• Repeat this movement 10 times for one set.
• If needed, use an armrest to make this exercise easier.

Stair Steps

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• Hold the handrail of a staircase for safety. Step up on a step one foot at a time.
• Step down one foot at a time.
• Repeat 10 times alternating the leading foot. Rest and repeat another 10 times for one set.

Written by: Jane Mohler, NP-c, MPH, PhD, and Lisa O'Neill, DBH, MPH, University of Arizona Center on Aging

Alzheimer's disease and Related Dementia ~ Care Partner Information
Edited by an interprofessional team from the University of Arizona Center on Aging, Alzheimer's Association - Desert Southwest Chapter and Community Caregivers

This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB4HP19047, Arizona Geriatric Education Center.  This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.