Movement Matters: Helping Loved Ones with Dementia Stay Active

By: Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month - making it an ideal time to spotlight how purposeful movement can slow physical decline, curb agitation, and brighten the day for people living with dementia.

The Hidden Cost of Inactivity in Dementia

• Faster loss of strength, endurance, and mobility.
  People with dementia experience significantly steeper declines in muscle power, balance, gait speed, and overall endurance than their cognitively healthy peers. A 2017 systematic review found that targeted exercise can reverse many of these losses, highlighting just how much ground inactivity can cost them.

• A 2-3 fold higher fall risk.
  Up to 60–80% of individuals with dementia fall each year, double (or more) the rate seen in age-matched adults without cognitive impairment.

• More than “just weak legs.”
  Neurologic changes in the brain affect depth perception, spatial awareness, and dual-tasking, making tripping over obstacles or misjudging doorways far more likely, even in familiar environments.

Why Activity Often Fades

Research into barriers paints a clear picture:

• Low motivation and apathy.
  Dementia frequently dampens initiative, so even engaging in even once-loved hobbies may need an extra nudge.

• Safety worries - both real and perceived.
  Fear of falls, wandering, or behavioral changes can make caregivers over-cautious, unintentionally encouraging more sitting and inactivity.

• Limited guidance or support.
  When caregivers lack time, know-how, or resources, structured movement sessions often become a low priority when so many other caregiving needs exist.

The Upside of Movement: Small Steps, Big Impact

Despite the challenges, the benefits of regular movement are powerful. Studies link even modest activity to:

• Reduced agitation and anxiety

• Improved mood and quality of life

• Better executive function and attention span

The World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s Disease International recommend that older adults, including those with dementia, aim for:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (e.g., brisk walking, dancing, cycling)

• Muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days per week

• Balance and mobility-focused exercises at least 3 days per week, especially for those with a history of falls or unsteadiness

But here’s the most important part:
These goals don’t need to be met all at once. Even 10-minute bouts of movement count. A short daily walk, chair yoga, or marching in place while brushing teeth can build into meaningful progress over time.

And remember—something is always better than nothing. Consistency and routine matter far more than intensity.

My Top 3 Tips to Get Your Loved One Moving

1. Make It Part of the Routine

• Same time, every time.
  Repetition breeds familiarity, and familiarity feels safe. A short walk after breakfast or gentle seated exercises during nightly news on TV can become as automatic as brushing teeth.

• Leave visual “clues.”
  Place sneakers by the dining chair or set out resistance bands where they’ll be noticed. Then cue your loved one with a calm, confident “Time for our walk!”

2. Make It Meaningful

Movement can be easier, and more enjoyable, when it feels like a meaningful activity, rather than a workout. The best way to help a loved one with dementia get active? Choose activities that connect with who they are and what they’ve always loved to do.

Tie movement to personal identity and past routines:

• Gardener?
  Keep a raised-bed planter or container garden ready to go. Practice squatting or sit-to-stand movements while pulling weeds, watering plants, or sorting seed packets.

• Make household chores a team effort.
  Turn household chores into movement moments. Fold towels together while standing, carry a light basket across the room, or reach to hang clothes on a low rack or line. Involve them in safe cleaning tasks like dusting, wiping counters, or organizing drawers. These repetitive tasks offer built-in structure and gentle physical activity.

• Dancer or music fan?
  Put on their favorite music from high school or early adulthood. March in place, sway side to side, or tap feet to the beat. Even seated, this can raise the heart rate and lift the mood.

• Involve the family pets.
  Take short walks with the family dog, brush the cat, or pretend to care for a stuffed animal if pets aren't available. Caring for something else often sparks a natural desire to move.

• Crafter or artist?
  Set up a workspace that encourages posture shifts—standing to cut fabric, reaching to gather supplies, or walking to display finished pieces.

Bonus Tip: Use exercise time to engage. Talking is a great form of ‘dual-tasking’ and dual-tasking is a powerful way to improve balance. Reminisce while you move. Play cognitive games like eye-spy or categories. Ask questions about the world around you - see if they can count the passing cars or recall facts about your neighbors as you walk by.

3. Try a Group Fitness Class

• Community programs, like local strength and balance classes, add social interaction and gentle accountability.

For locals, Healthy Aging PT’s Strong and STEADI sessions blend fall-prevention drills with upbeat music and expert guidance. Ask your senior center for recommendations or check our calendar.

When to Call in for Backup

Encouraging safe, consistent movement isn’t always easy, especially when dementia is involved. You might find that your loved one resists participation, struggles to follow instructions, or becomes overwhelmed by too many choices. That’s completely normal - and it's exactly where we come in.

At Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, our licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists and certified personal trainers are experienced in working with older adults living with cognitive impairment. We understand how to blend clinical expertise with patience, creativity, and compassion.

Here’s how our Therapy and Wellness365 teams can help:

• Comprehensive Assessment
  We evaluate strength, mobility, balance, and fall risk while considering cognitive status, emotional state, and home environment. This helps us determine what’s safe, what’s realistic, and what’s meaningful.

• Personalized Movement Prescription
  One-size-fits-all exercise plans don’t work, especially in dementia care. We’ll create a tailored program that matches your loved one’s current abilities and interests, focusing on what they can do and building from there.

• Cognitive-Aware Coaching
  We train family members and paid caregivers in practical strategies: how to cue movement clearly, how to redirect attention when needed, and how to create daily routines that support success without stress.

• Progress Monitoring & Support
  Our team can check in regularly to adjust the plan, troubleshoot challenges, and provide encouragement. Even small wins, like standing up more easily or walking an extra lap around the kitchen, can be incredibly meaningful.

If your loved one is struggling with inactivity, mood changes, falls, or increasing dependence, it may be time to bring in professional support.

We’re here when you’re ready.
Call us at (617) 398-4508 or visit our website to request:

• A Medicare-covered Physical or Occupational Therapy Evaluation, or

• A private Wellness365 Personal Training session for continued fitness and support after therapy ends.

Let’s work together to keep your loved one strong, steady, and engaged - every step of the way.