Physical exercise has positive effects on the wellbeing of persons living with dementia, whether the exercise is done for recreation or as therapy. It can be done as the main focus of an activity, or as part of other activities that involve a heightened level of physical movement, such as gardening or dance.
Physical activity is positively linked to overall health in general. Though research on the link between exercise and the wellbeing of persons living with dementia is still developing, current research has shown that exercise is linked to the improvement of physical functioning in persons living with dementia.1 It also has positive correlations with improvements in cognition, mood, agitation, and functional ability for persons living with dementia in some settings.2
“Aim for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous every week for a healthier you.”
As recommended by the Health Promotion Board.
In the two videos below, hear from Andrew Yeo, an exercise therapist who works with elderly living with dementia at the Salvation Army (Peacehaven Nursing Home), about the benefits of keeping our bodies on the move, especially as we get older, and how to make exercising fun and less daunting for the elderly by taking simple walks
Why Exercise?
Source: ForgetUsNot Initiative by LIEN Foundation, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, & Dementia Singapore
Get Moving!
Source: ForgetUsNot Initiative by LIEN Foundation, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, & Dementia Singapore
As with any other activity that persons living with dementia participate in, it is important to know certain details about the person with dementia when choosing and adapting the activity for them. These details include the person’s preferences, interests, age, history, and stage of dementia. Read more about factors to consider when choosing appropriate activities on Recreational Activities.
While taking part in physical exercises, it is important for these persons and their care team to be mindful of their risks to a reasonable degree when selecting physical activities to do. For example, since a higher proportion of persons living with dementia are older in age, they may have a higher fall risk. The activity should be modified such that risk is reduced to a reasonable level.
Attention should also be paid to the environment where persons living with dementia do their physical exercises in order to ensure both their safety and the conduciveness of their environment to their experience of the exercise. Find out more from our articles on Dementia-Inclusive Environments.
Here are some videos on guided exercise routines that care professionals and caregivers can use to guide persons living with dementia.
These are videos by the New Horizon Centres (NHCs) of Dementia Singapore (formerly known as Alzheimer’s Disease Association) showing simple exercise routines. Persons living with dementia can continue to participate in physical exercises at home by watching and following the following videos!
Workout Song – “Rasa Sayang”
Workout Song – “Ai De Ni Ya He Chu Xun”
Workout Song – “Gao Shan Qing”
Workout Song – “Wang Chun Feng”
Group 1
Sitting 1
Sitting 3
Tara Band 1
Group 1
Group 2
These are videos produced by the Dementia-Friendly Singapore movement on exercise routines for persons living with dementia.
Standing Psychomotoric Exercise
Seated Psychomotoric Exercises
