Research Exercise and Mobility

In a few days we will come to our 2nd anniversary of Mom's Physical Therapist's decree that Mom was no longer "safe" walking with her walker. Mom is now walking only about 10 feet daily. Mom has gone through some health challenges in the last several weeks which has restricted her ability to walk and many days she was only able to stand for 5-10 seconds. Yesterday when we were walking her 10 feet (down from 150 feet 2 years ago) she looked at me and said "are you sure this is worth it?". It was a good question because walking even this short distance is a real struggle for Mom. There is also the question of being realistic. Over the last 20 years of Harbor House I have certainly come across families who were not realistic and I wanted to search my soul to be sure this is not the case for me. In the last two years, I have been the only one who is walking Mom. Since I am with her everyday, I was able to help her to maintain the walking safely. I am proud to report there has never been a fall in the two years, obviously it has been safe. I then replied "yes Mom, this is tough but keeps you in a good place. You have always been in favor of exercise, right?" Her reply was quick, but not necessarily cheery! "Yes, yes" she said "when can I sit down!"

The reason I could fairly quickly answer affirmatively regarding the need to keep as mobile as possible and exercise when you can even if you have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia is simple. The research is clear. There is an ever increasing body of knowledge, reinforcing the positive effects of exercise and keeping as active as possible. The Wisconsin State Alzheimer's Conference in May, for example, has 3 presentations RE Exercise and Mobility in Dementia. The subtopics range from prevention of dementia, to preventing premature disability from not using your muscles etc. Keeping as active as possible is becoming increasingly researched and the results point to the need to keep moving. I would encourage everyone to look at publications from organizations like AARP which almost monthly have articles displaying the positive side of exercise whether a senior has Dementia or not. When possible advocating for our loved ones to keep mobile will make a difference.

May God keep you in the palm of Her hand.