The Importance of Exercise
There are so many preventative rumors out there. It seems that there are always new studies coming out about the benefits of a new supplement, and studies soon follow denying the benefits of the first study. It seems like an endless cycle. However, there are several certain preventative steps that can be taken to help encourage healthy aging, physically and mentally. These include weight control, healthy eating habits/cholesterol levels and exercise. Among all of these things, physical exercise is known to be the most effective. It’s fairly simple to understand why this is, blood flow to the brain is increased.
Exercise is not only good preventative care, it is good care for Alzheimer’s patients in general. It helps to slow the decline, and promotes general wellbeing. Bob Demarco writes on his personal experience with how physical exercise has helped his 93 year old Alzheimer’s afflicted Mother physically, and emotionally. Various studies are cited within the article. The Benefits, and importance, of exercise are made clear.
I made one of my best decisions ever when I decided to introduce exercise into my mother's life after she was diagnosed with dementia -- now Alzheimer's. Imagine taking an 88 year old woman into a gym for the first time in her life. If it was the early 1970s, I would be saying, "far out". That describes how I felt. Let's skip up the present. Mom is now 93 and we are still going to the gym.
Before we go to the gym mom is usually a bit disoriented, with a dull, almost lifeless look on here face. When we get to the gym she doesn't want to go in. She usually says any combination of these words: I am going to vomit, I am going to faint, I can't do it, and a few choice words that I would rather not repeat.
If you saw us and didn't know anything about Alzheimer's and dementia you might be a bit disconcerted when you see us coming into the gym. Soon a remarkable transformation takes place. We do the treadmill first. Mom hates this. But as time goes on she starts standing up straighter, and starts showing some signs of life.
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