"When people keep telling you that you
can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it."
can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it."
Sound Familiar? Here are some examples of what you may
hear in a nursing home or other long term care facility when
asking about activities for residents with Alzheimer's:
hear in a nursing home or other long term care facility when
asking about activities for residents with Alzheimer's:
- "We do have an activities calendar, and to avoid
confusion we just keep it over here for the families."
- "They don't have the ability to stay focused enough to
exercise, so we just don't have it."
- "Well we just let them wander, because they are so
confused anyway, they are not interested in doing
activities."
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laws of the United States and/or other countries. The terms of use of those websites and not The Senior Fitness Movement or it's terms, govern your use of that material. All information on this website is for informational purposes only and The Senior Fitness
Movement is not responsible for any use of products or services or any company that may have been contacted through The Senior Fitness Movement's website. The Senior Fitness Movement does not endorse any company, service or product you may find
through our website or Google Adsense service or any affiliate services. The Senior Fitness Movement does not endorse any long term care faciities or services, home care agencies or any organizations or any businesses associated with long term care. The Senior
Fitness Movement does not and will not receive any funds from a long term care provider.
Alzheimer's - Forget the Clinical Often times,
people put the disease in front of the person. They focus
so much on the fact that someone has Alzheimer's or
some other form of dementia, that every conversation or
action is based on some clinical diagnosis that says you
should communicate in a certain way and do certain
things. Forget the clinical aspect, remember the person
and focus on what the person with Alzheimer's can do
instead of what they can't.
people put the disease in front of the person. They focus
so much on the fact that someone has Alzheimer's or
some other form of dementia, that every conversation or
action is based on some clinical diagnosis that says you
should communicate in a certain way and do certain
things. Forget the clinical aspect, remember the person
and focus on what the person with Alzheimer's can do
instead of what they can't.
Some Tips
Individual Needs and Abilities - The Benefits Even though
residents with Alzheimer's may be living in a specific section of the nursing
home or those with dementia may be grouped together, they still have
individual needs and abilities.
It is extremely important to recognize that people with Alzheimer's have the
same needs as someone who doesn't. They have physical needs and
emotional needs. The enjoyment that a person realizes when they have met a
challenge can have the same affect on a person with Alzheimer's. There
muscles still need to be challenged to stay strong and their balance needs to
challenged to reduce the risk of falling. If you think about what benefits you
gain from exercise, such as stronger muscles, lower blood pressure, better
balance, a stronger heart, sleeping better at night and reduced stress levels,
why wouldn't a person with Alzheimer's have the same benefits?
residents with Alzheimer's may be living in a specific section of the nursing
home or those with dementia may be grouped together, they still have
individual needs and abilities.
It is extremely important to recognize that people with Alzheimer's have the
same needs as someone who doesn't. They have physical needs and
emotional needs. The enjoyment that a person realizes when they have met a
challenge can have the same affect on a person with Alzheimer's. There
muscles still need to be challenged to stay strong and their balance needs to
challenged to reduce the risk of falling. If you think about what benefits you
gain from exercise, such as stronger muscles, lower blood pressure, better
balance, a stronger heart, sleeping better at night and reduced stress levels,
why wouldn't a person with Alzheimer's have the same benefits?
- If someone with Alzheimer's says they do not want to
exercise, then respect their decision and ask them the next
day. Offer something they may enjoy. Do not, do the
same thing every day. Remember, a person without
Alzheimer's really doesn't benefit by doing the same
exercises everyday, so a person with Alzheimer's may not
either. Offer variety. Try walking, resistance bands,
stretching, Tai-Chi, Yoga, Hand Eye Coordination,
Balance and Strengthening. Do your homework. Any
program that is being offered today in the gyms or for
home use can be incorporated into a program for
residents of a nursing home, including residents with
Alzheimer's. - Set goals. Start out slow. Make a chart. Let residents
know they are meeting challenges. Start out today with 3
arm circles and let them know the goal for the end of the
week is 10. - Don't just go through the motions. Help the residents do
an exercise the proper way. It doesn't need to be perfect,
but if they absolutely can't do a certain exercise, modify it
for them.
- If you have residents who just can't stay awake
during a group session, then they should be
given some individual attention that is going to
allow them to benefit from the program. The
idea with group exercise is to encourage, and
therefore the atmosphere must reflect this.
Never exclude a resident, but just think about a
way that is going to benefit all. If all they need
is to have a little extra assistance to stay awake,
place them closer to you the instructor. Just be
sure that they are not in a position where they
become the focus of the exercise class. This
could be embarrassing for them and may
distract from the rest of the group. If the
resident is unable to participate on a group
level, then offer individualized exercise.
- Make it fun. To make a class fun, you must
use your imagination. Lots of color, music,
movement and interaction.
The Senior Fitness Movement
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| "Keep Your Body in Sync with your Abilities" |