Exercise in Dementia

Exercise is safe and recommended for people living with dementia, for its effects on physical health, function, mood and wellbeing rather than to slow cognitive decline, which it has not been shown reliably to do.

Dementia is a progressive loss of cognitive function. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, alongside vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and others. As it advances, people lose fitness and everyday abilities, fall more often, and often have low mood, disturbed sleep and behavioural changes.

Regular activity supports strength, balance, mobility and mood, and may help reduce falls, which matters for quality of life and for the people who care for them.