Staying Active

Staying active can help a person to maintain their strength and flexibility plus improve energy levels so that someone can continue to do the things that they enjoy. Our bodies were made to move.

As people get older their balance may deteriorate and muscle strength can also decline. Bones naturally become more brittle and sitting still for a long period of time increases the risk of falls. Lack of activity can make someone weaker but also too much exercise can make them feel tired.

It's important that a person tries to move a bit more throughout the day in whatever way works for an individual. 

Keeping Moving with Dementia outlines the benefit of staying active with Dementia and how much exercise is recommended.    Everyday activities like gardening, housework, walking to the shops all help a person to keep moving. Being active doesn't have to mean doing vigorous exercise but some people may choose to have a go at some of the exercise activities below.

Physical Activity at Home is a leaflet produced by Alzheimer's Society which gives helpful tips on physical activity around the home such as breaking up sitting time and how to move more.

Keep On Keep Up (KOKU) is a simple NHS approved app that helps older adults improve strength, balance and optimise healthy ageing. Based on scientific research from clinical trials KOKU provides tailored exercises and exercise based games which can be easily completed independently at home by older adults. These simple exercises improve mobility and bone health which in turn reduces the likelihood falls.

Physical Activity and Exercise Ideas for People Living with Dementia was created by Physiotherapists.

The following leaflets provide an easy visual prompt of the exercises recommended:

The British Gymnastics Foundation have produced Love to Move which is an age and dementia friendly chair based gymnastics programme. This is a guide to help a person in their own home and the recordings on this link provide an opportunity to join in the programme alongside a professional.

Motion Exercise | Motion is a person centred social enterprise with the aim of improving health and wellbeing of older people through inclusive and interactive exercise programmes.  They have produced an eBook which contains mobility, bodyweight and strength movements that can be performed while seated or standing. The eBook also contains instructions and suggestions for repetitions/timings and is available on request through the website.

Golf in Society specialise in transforming the lives of older people by introducing them to the game of golf. No experience of golf is required but the aim is to put golf at the heart of local communities, by delivering tailored golf sessions for people living with chronic illnesses, including dementia.

If a person does not stay active this can lead to deconditioning which is a process of losing physical strength. Due to the restrictions which were imposed because of the pandemic, people were not able to do much physical activity which may have resulted in them not feeling as fit and healthy. It may also have affected a person's mood, confidence and well-being.

The National Falls Prevention Coordination Group have produced a selection of leaflets which include tips for increasing physical activity throughout the day: