Dementia - How to reduce your risk of developing dementia

It is well known that exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and helps us keep our weight down but what’s not so well known is that exercise can also reduce the risk of developing dementia.

According to alzheimers.org.uk if you combine the results of 11 different studies, it shows that moderate exercise reduces the risk of dementia by 30% and of Alzheimer’s Disease specifically by 45%. This suggests that by exercising you will achieve a greater reduction in your risk of getting dementia than if you took steps to cut out smoking, moderate alcohol intake or maintain a healthy body weight and eat a healthy diet.

While it is clear that exercise is good at helping to prevent dementia, can it be beneficial for someone who has already been diagnosed?

Exercising with Dementia

Although there is less evidence around the impact of exercise on the cognitive decline of people living with dementia, some studies have shown that exercise does slow progression.

In the Farnham area, Right at Home host a number of activities aimed specifically at people living with dementia and their carers. Love to Move, Inclusive Cricket and even Singing for the Mind are all geared towards getting participants moving.

As well as providing exercise, these classes offer other benefits such as social interaction and helping people to maintain physical capabilities, improve their balance, enjoy better mental wellbeing and a reduced risk of heart disease.

Tips for carers

Dementia can cause apathy so a bit of gentle encouragement may be needed to support your loved one to get out to do some exercise. In our experience, we often find that the best way to encourage is to talk as if the planned outing is already happening rather than trying to actively persuade.

Further information about exercise for people with dementia

You can find more information on the Alzheimer’s Society’s website about different types of exercise for people at different stages of dementia. Alternatively, if you feel one of our community groups is what you are looking for, please come along – we guarantee a warm welcome as well as lots of support and fun!

Alastair Shanks, Owner Right at Home GF and Dementia Friends Champion