Promote Physical

Focus point 3: People with dementia can live safely and be as independent as possible in settings that promote physical, mental/intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual wellness.

Physical: You don’t need a great memory to enjoy yourself. Each day, there are many things that provide us with purpose and pleasure. A person with dementia still needs a good quality of life, but without some assistance from families and caregivers, it is much more difficult for them to achieve purpose and pleasure. There are many ways to plan and provide appropriate activities for people with dementia.
Ideally, activities should: compensate for lost abilities, promote self-esteem, maintain residual skills and not involve new learning, provide an opportunity for enjoyment, pleasure and social contact, be sensitive to the person’s cultural background.

A person with Alzheimer’s disease gains the same kind of benefits from regular exercise as anyone else, including improved cardiovascular fitness, strength and endurance. Always talk with the person’s doctor about their exercise program or before starting on any new exercise program. Exercise can give many health benefits including:

·         improved mood

·         better sleep

·         reduced likelihood of constipation

·         maintenance of motor skills

·         reduced risk of falls because of improved strength and balance

·         reduced rate of disease-associated mental decline

·         improved memory

·         improved behavior, such as reduced rate of wandering, swearing and acting aggressively

·         better communication and social skills.