Dementia Prevention
While there are currently no effective treatments or therapies to stop or reverse Alzheimer’s disease, research suggests that some lifestyle interventions like exercising on a regular basis could slow its progression.
There is no definitive answer as to which type of exercise is best. Yoga, pilates and weightlifting are all good, but apparently aerobic and resistance training have better cognitive benefits.
Some studies have shown that after only a few weeks of regular exercise older adults often feel better, they get better sleep and in many cases their lipid and blood glucose profiles improve. Apparently, those factors are associated with higher rates of the disease and are indirect ways that exercise reduces risk for Alzheimer’s. Exercise also helps by increasing blood flow to the brain, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients.
Another good thing about exercise is that it’s good for “neuroplasticity” – the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life. What neuroplasticity means is that it just gives us an opportunity to continue learning and gives us a chance to show that the brain can still work.
Even in late age exercise helps you increase gray matter. Why gray matter is so important is because it’s the thing that allows us to have muscle control, it allows us to have sensory protection, hearing, smelling and also allows us to have memory.
Exercise helps expand gray matter which is where we store memories. Gray matter is found in the hippocampus and the hippocampus is a part of the brain that kind of works just like memory.
Did you know exercise is also good for your heart? And whatever’s good for your heart is good for your brain as well! Heart health is brain health.
If you are concerned about ensuring your loved are exercising correctly and diligently and above all safely get a caregiver to help. Our caregivers are trained to help older adults with their exercises.
When we talk about caregiving it does not mean your loved ones start to lose the autonomous living. It just means you have found other people to help your loved ones live better. They could live a great quality of life being as independent as possible which makes a world of difference.
Always consult with your loved one’s Doctor before embarking on an exercise regimen and ensure they never overdo it.
Connect with us to find out more.
