This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice. Please consult a registered health practitioner before commencing any exercise program.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a decline in a person's cognitive abilities, including memory, thinking and communication. While dementia primarily affects the brain, it can also have a significant impact on physical function as the condition progresses. People living with dementia may experience changes in balance, coordination, strength and mobility, which can increase their risk of falls and make everyday activities more challenging.
This is where physiotherapy can play an important role. By focusing on movement, strength, balance and independence, physiotherapy can support the physical wellbeing and quality of life of people living with dementia.
A systematic review involving almost 4,000 people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia across 43 clinical trials found that supervised exercise can improve a range of physical outcomes, including walking ability and the time it takes to stand up from a chair.
Let's look at some of the ways physiotherapy can support people living with dementia.
Physiotherapy aims to help people maintain their independence for as long as possible. This may include balance exercises, strengthening exercises and practising movements that are important for everyday activities.
Physiotherapists can also recommend changes to a person's routine or home environment to make daily activities easier and safer. The goal is to support people to continue doing the things that are important to them.
Changes in balance, strength and coordination can increase the risk of falls for people living with dementia. Physiotherapists can assess these areas and develop personalised exercise programs to help improve strength, balance and confidence with movement.
Where appropriate, a physiotherapist may also recommend and provide training with a walking aid. Making the home environment safer and identifying potential hazards can further help reduce the risk of falls.
Dementia can sometimes be associated with changes in walking, including slower walking speed, changes in step length, reduced balance or changes in posture. Physiotherapy can help assess these changes and identify strategies to support safer and more efficient walking.
This may include strengthening exercises, balance and coordination activities, walking practice, postural exercises and assessment of whether a walking aid would be beneficial.
Regular physiotherapy reassessments also allow exercises and mobility strategies to be adjusted as a person's needs change. Supporting safe mobility can help people maintain their independence, confidence and dignity.
Physiotherapy is not just about improving strength or mobility. It is about helping people living with dementia continue doing the things that matter to them.
Your In Home Rehab's physiotherapists work with each person to provide personalised exercise programs, mobility advice, home safety assessments and guidance around assistive equipment. By focusing on each person's individual goals and abilities, physiotherapy can help support independence, safety and quality of life throughout their journey with dementia.
Written by Katie Prunty, Physiotherapist (AHPRA registered)
