The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that physical activity can help prevent dementia. Older adults who are frail benefit from this activity, as do all seniors. Anyone who does at least 35 minutes of exercise each week can lower their risk of developing dementia by 41%. This exercise should be performed at a moderate to vigorous intensity to achieve these benefits. All seniors are at a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, so encouraging them to engage in regular physical activity is highly beneficial.
Preventing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
When a person asks how to prevent alzheimer’s, the first thing the doctor may tell them is that 35 minutes of physical activity is the minimum they should do each week. As a person increases their physical activity, their risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease lowers. Engaging in 70 minutes of exercise reduces this risk by 60%, and individuals who exercise 70-139.9 minutes each week lower the risk by 63%. Increasing physical activity to 140 minutes or more per week can reduce a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s by 69%.
While 35 minutes is the recommended minimum amount of physical activity a person should engage in, research has found that even five minutes of physical activity per day can lower the risk of specific health issues. Research has determined that any exercise is better than none, particularly when it comes to preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as they currently have no cure.
The Prevalence of Dementia
Dementia remains one of the most common conditions seen in seniors. Experts estimate it affects approximately 7 million adults in the United States. Of those individuals, approximately 33% are 85 years of age or older. The risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease increases as a person ages, but there are particular lifestyle changes a person can make that will decrease their risk. Individuals who maintain their cholesterol levels and blood pressure within normal limits are at a lower risk of developing dementia, and the same holds for those who keep their blood sugar within normal limits. Regular exercise can help with doing so.
Frail Seniors
Older adults who are frail often struggle to do 35 minutes of exercise each day. However, they should try to do as much as physically possible, even if it is only 10 or 20 minutes. Researchers were surprised to discover the significant impact that physical activity has on a person’s risk of developing dementia. Individuals in poor physical health can reduce their risk by engaging in regular physical activity. The benefit of this is that the exercise will also help them gain some strength.
Swimming is an exercise that all seniors can engage in to lower the risk of injuries. Many seniors participate in chair yoga classes, while others opt for short walks around their homes. As they gain stamina, they may venture out for short walks. Tai Chi is another form of physical activity that seniors can participate in with minimal risk of injury.
Researchers continue to look for ways to reduce a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Physical activity is one way that they may do so. However, before starting any new exercise program, seniors should talk with their medical team to learn what is safe and appropriate based on their current physical condition. If the medical team feels an activity is not safe, they can recommend modifications so the senior can participate. With their help, every senior can get more physical activity every day.
