Alzheimer’s disease robs you and your loved ones of so much. But there are things you can do to delay the disease’s progression. Physical therapy is one method that has been shown to help combat Alzheimer’s Disease and delay the illness’s progression.
A physical therapist can help someone suffering from Alzheimer’s develop a regimen to stay active. Physical exercise is one of the most effective ways to enhance your brain health, according to research.
Learn more about how physical therapy can help delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
How Physical Therapy Helps to Reduce Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Studies show that physical exercise can improve the following aspects of Alzheimer’s disease:
- A sense of equilibriumThe brain’s blood supply Longevity Adaptability Endurance Strength
Physical therapy has been shown to slow the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in four ways, according to research:
1. It lowers anger and elevates mood.
Aggression and depression are typical symptoms as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. A physical therapist will assist your elderly parent or loved one in remaining active. Daily exercise has been shown to enhance mood and minimize violence on several occasions.
According to one study, an hour of counseling a week for 12 weeks significantly decreased depression. Balance, stamina, flexibility, and strength training were all emphasized during the therapy.
Regular activity in physical therapy also aids in the stabilization of aggression. Your loved one will benefit from the therapist’s active movement and stretches, which activate endorphins, which help to relax the brain. People with Alzheimer’s who engaged in physical therapy on a daily basis for 24 months had less hospitalizations due to behavioral issues, according to a report.
2. Strengthens and improves mobility.
Balance is also affected by Alzheimer’s disease, which increases the likelihood of falling. As balance deteriorates, regular physical therapy helps to keep bones and muscles healthy.
You can note that, despite their ability to walk, your loved one has a shaky move. The physical therapist can help the patient develop muscle memory, which will help them from falling.
Improved sleep is an additional benefit to routine physical therapy. In one study, participants were paired with therapists who helped them walk for 30 minutes straight. After six months, the study revealed that participants were sleeping for 36 minutes longer and waking up less.
3. Maintain independence by day-to-day activities (ADLs).
Being able to look after yourself is an integral part of being self-sufficient. With Alzheimer’s, daily tasks such as washing, dressing, feeding, and toileting can become difficult. A physical therapist will offer you opportunities to exercise and improve your capacity to perform everyday tasks.
A physical therapist may also assist family members in creating a supportive atmosphere for the Alzheimer’s patient. It’s a common desire to keep a loved one’s function and freedom for as long as possible.
4. Slows the deterioration of memory.
Memory loss is a major source of anxiety for Alzheimer’s patients and their families. Physical therapy is a form of exercise that enhances the flow of blood to the brain on a regular basis.
A study found that 40 minutes of physical exercise four days a week for a year resulted in hippocampus development. The hippocampus is the memory-related portion of the brain. Increases in the gray and white matter of the brain were also discovered. Alzheimer’s disease causes damage to the gray and white matter of the brain.
Alzheimer’s can take a lot from those suffering from the disease, but there are physical therapy treatments that will greatly improve quality of life, and slow the progression.
CONTACT us here at 1 on 1 Physical Therapy in Asheville NC to book an appointment today!
