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A guide to dementia-friendly exercises

Health & wellbeing

If you’ve ever felt invigorated by a brisk walk in the fresh air or felt the soothing effects of a gentle stretching session, you’ll know that keeping active has fantastic physical and mental benefits. 

For people living with dementia exercise can boost strength, balance and coordination – all of which are affected by dementia. Studies have shown that gentle exercise can slow down the progression of dementia symptoms. 

Activities that help older people maintain their mobility and cognitive function can also help to prolong independent living, which is important whether you live at home or in a care home. 

If you don’t know where to start with dementia-friendly exercises, read our tips below for a range of options that can be adapted to suit your needs. 

 

Exercises for people with dementia 

Simple, gentle exercises and daily rituals that get you moving are great ways to stimulate the brain and improve mobility and coordination.  

You may also find that activities spark happy memories, and reminiscing is another positive outcome for people living with dementia. 

Examples of dementia-friendly exercises include: 

  • Going for a walk: Taking a walk is a great way to get some fresh air with your exercise. For people living with dementia, regular light exercise outdoors has been shown to reduce the need for prescription medication. This could be as simple as a daily trip to pick up the morning paper, walking the dog or visiting a local community group. 
  • Gardening: Getting involved with weeding flower beds or sowing seeds in an allotment is a fantastic way to keep moving in older age. Already a beloved hobby for many, gardening also offers older people the chance to spend time on an activity that’s meaningful to them. The smells, sights and sounds of gardening will likely stir up all sorts of memories too, so it’s a great way to wander down memory lane. 
  • Housework: Keeping active throughout the day with simple tasks around the home can help residents maintain their independence and a sense of purpose. A resident might enjoy doing their own ironing or folding napkins before a meal, for example. 
  • Seated exercise or stretching: Many of our care homes use armchair exercises to promote movement and balance. This can be simple stretches of the arms and legs or props can be involved, as with a seated parachute exercise. Some care homes provide Love to Move, a programme created by the British Gymnastics Foundation which is specially designed for people living with dementia.
  • Dementia-friendly yoga or tai chi: Yoga helps individuals to improve balance and flexibility, and several Care UK homes provide dementia-friendly sessions. Tai chi involves simple, slow movements, which can also boost strength and stability. 
  • Carpet bowls: A game of bowls or skittles inside can be adapted for people who are standing or sitting, and it’s a great way to have fun with family and friends while also getting the body moving and practising hand-eye coordination. A win-win! 
  • Dancing: A gentle toe-tap is a fantastic way to keep fit while listening to favourite music and reminiscing about Friday night trips to the dance hall in years gone by. Several Care UK homes offer dancing sessions – some have regular resident-led clubs while others like to get on the dance floor when live entertainers pop in. 
  • Swimming: For those looking for more vigorous forms of exercise, swimming offers maximum impact while still being fairly gentle on the body. Our home teams have helped arrange swimming trips for residents who wished to swim but never thought they would get in the pool again. 
  • Sports: You can raise your heart rate through a variety of sports, from gentler activities like golf and table tennis, to dementia-friendly team sports, like walking football. Played in pairs or a team environment, these are a great way for people living with dementia to socialise if they’re more active. 

How we use dementia-friendly exercises at Care UK 

Each of our care homes has a lifestyle team that plans and organises a programme of group and one-to-one activities for residents. They get to know individuals in the care home well so they can tailor exercises to residents’ unique needs and abilities, as well as their personal preferences and favourite hobbies. 

Interested in learning more about the care provided in Care UK homes? Visit our dementia care page for more information or get in touch with your local care home – our teams are always happy to help you. 

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