Can exercise help your Alzheimer’s health in the long run?

Have you considered how exercise can work alongside Alzheimer’s health? Exercise can affect your body in a multitude of ways, but the fact that it impacts other larger issues in our bodies is often over looked. Being aware of your Alzheimer’s health and your healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic illnesses, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, as well as Alzheimer’s.  

Exercise and Alzheimer’s health

The best workouts and the time you should be spent doing said workouts varies from person to person based off their own Alzheimer’s health journey, which is why you should always consult with your primary care physician before jumping into a new exercise routine. At Visiting Angels Murrieta, we are able to provide this list of suggested guidelines that has been beneficial to seniors we have worked with on their Alzheimer’s health in the past:

• Cardio and Strength Training: Aerobic and strength training has shown to protect the brain while preventing the risk of falling. These types of workouts also increase one’s flexibility and endurance. 
• Setting an Active Time Goal: Make a plan; you should be getting around 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Break those minutes down, for example: be active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Choose activities like cycling, marching in place, yoga, or going on walks.
• Monitor Your Progress: Keep a journal with what exercises you’re doing each day. By keeping a journal, you can monitor what workouts you do and don’t enjoy. You can also locate where a possible injury may have stemmed from.

Being Active in Your Home

Many seniors are not comfortable working out in a gym or outside—due to many reasons such as COVID-19 or the weather. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available for those working on their Alzheimer’s health at home; with the use of technology a senior can get a great workout while being in the comfort of their own home. We have compiled a few at home physical activities list for those who are interested:

• Virtual Yoga: Yoga has become a very popular workout for individuals of all ages. It is beneficial for your strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. For those who are comfortable with using YouTube, Yoga with Adrienne is a great yoga instructor to view on YouTube. She has free videos with a variety of yoga topics, ranging from yoga at your desk to Chair Yoga for Seniors.
• Walking: Research has shown that daily walks outside can contribute to a healthier mental and physical state. Walks can also prevent vitamin d deficiency and depression. You should discuss the amount of time you spend walking and what your ultimate walking goal should be with your primary care provider. The Health in Aging Foundation has a tip sheet for seniors who are starting a walking program. 
• Strength and Resistance Training: Doing strength and resistance training a few times a week can prevent the risk of falls and to protect brain health, as well as prevent bone loss. Silver Sneakers shared this training guide to provide seniors a list of at home exercises that can be completed with a band or body weight as resistance.

If you or a loved one are looking for more information on how exercise affects cognitive health, call our office today.

We have a friendly staff waiting to provide you with the answers you are looking for. Reach Visiting Angels Murrieta office at 951-639-5949.