Alzheimer’s Notes

After reading Kendra’s post, The Winter Season Affects Blood Pressure, at A Hearty Life, you may want to take a look at your exercise routine (or lack of) and your diet during the colder months.  (Even if you’re in the southern hemisphere this time of year, you may want to consider what she has to say.)

She mentions that studies have found people often have higher blood pressure, as well as higher incidence of heart attacks and strokes, in winter when they may be exercising less and eating more. 

Also keep an eye on your Alzheimer’s family member and see if winter is affecting their blood pressure.  When Mother resided in the nursing home, she participated in routine exercise sessions.  Even when she was in the wheel chair, she could do simple group exercises.

Exercise also helps relieve stress, so caregivers may want to see about squeezing in a walk if it isn’t too cold.  Get an exercise video…and use it.  Some of those exercises may be possible for the patient, too.  (If nothing else, they may get the patient laughing as he/she watches you exercise!)

          The “oldies” are songs many Alzheimer’s patients recognize.  If they can’t exercise, they may enjoy listening to the music or humming along with it.

Does anyone know if there are exervise videos you can use with your Alzheimer’s patient?