What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition. It damages brain cells and affects how we speak, think, move, and deal with other people. It can lead to a decline in memory and the ability to perform daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death among American adults aged over 65 years.

The risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. People rarely develop the disease before age 60. Most people with the disease do not have a family history of it.

CAUTION: One of the major symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is confusion. However, there are several other possible causes of confusion.

  • If confusion comes on suddenly, see a doctor or a neurologist immediately.
  • If confusion occurs or gets worse after a fall or a head injury, call 911.
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Signs and Symptoms

There are 10 warning signs of possible Alzheimer’s disease:

  • Memory changes that disrupt daily life.
  • Difficulty making decisions, especially in planning or solving problems.
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
  • Confusion about time and/or place.
  • Trouble understanding visual images or the way things fit together (spatial relationships).
  • Finding the right words to say when speaking or writing.
  • Misplacing items and losing the ability to retrace your steps.
  • Poor or decreased judgment about safety.
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities.
  • Changes in mood or personality.

People with Alzheimer’s disease may get lost in once-familiar places. In the later stages of the disease, they might get restless and wander. Often, this restlessness happens in the late afternoon and evening (called “sundowning”). They may withdraw from their family and friends or see or hear things that are not there. They may falsely believe that others are lying, cheating, or trying to harm them.

Along with these “cognitive” symptoms, performing simple tasks may become difficult in the later stages. Ultimately, they may need help eating, bathing, toileting, and dressing. People with Alzheimer’s disease are usually able to walk until the very last stage of the disease. They might, however, lose strength and balance, which can lead to an increased risk of falls.

hysical therapy plays an important role in exercise for patients with Alzheimer’s disease by tailoring routines to meet the individual needs of each patient.

1

Balance Exercises

a person on a wobble board.
Rollover/Getty Images

Often as we age, our balance skills deteriorate. For this reason, it is important to do exercises to improve and maintain balance throughout our lives. Balance exercises can be performed daily and in your own home.

You can start out with simple balance activities and increase the difficulty as your balance improves. Improving your balance takes practice. One simple exercise can be done and modified as your skill level improves. Read on to learn how to improve your balance starting today.

Beginner

  1. Stand up straight behind a tall chair or at a countertop.
  2. Lightly grasp the chair or countertop with your fingertips.
  3. Raise one leg a foot off the ground.
  4. Maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
  5. Hold for a count of 10 seconds.
  6. Repeat with the other leg.
  7. Perform five times on each leg.

Intermediate

  1. Stand up straight behind a tall chair or at a countertop for safety only.
  2. Without holding onto the chair or countertop raise one leg a foot off the ground.
  3. Maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
  4. Hold for a count of 10 seconds.
  5. Repeat with the other leg.
  6. Perform five times on each leg.

Advanced

  1. Stand up straight behind a tall chair or at a countertop for safety only.
  2. Close both eyes.
  3. Without holding onto the chair or countertop raise one leg a foot off the ground.
  4. Maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
  5. Hold for a count of 10 seconds.
  6. Repeat with ​the other leg.
  7. Perform five on each leg.

Your physical therapist can also show you which balance exercises may be best for you. 

2

Strengthening and Stretching Exercises

a senior man stretching

 Westend61/Getty Images

Maintaining optimum strength can help keep your muscles strong and keep your functional mobility at its optimum. Your physical therapist can help you determine other strengthening exercises that are right for you, whether it’s core strengthening exercises, abdominal exercises, exercises for healthy knees, or morning stretches to strengthen your back or neck.

3

Endurance Exercises

older couple riding bicycles
Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

Endurance exercises include any activities that increase your heart rate and respiratory rate. Choose from these fun activities to increase your endurance:

  • Dancing
  • Yoga
  • Gardening
  • Housework
  • Bowling
  • Biking
  • Tai Chi

Many physical therapist clinics offer group exercise classes. This has the added benefit of socialization during exercise, which can keep you motivated while getting in your exercise.

What Kind of Physical Therapist Do I Need?

All physical therapists are prepared through education and experience to treat conditions and injuries. You may want to consider:

  • A physical therapist with experience treating older adults and age-related symptoms and conditions. Seek out those who regularly work with patients with dementia and their caregivers. Some physical therapists focus on geriatrics (treating older patients).
  • A physical therapist who is a board-certified specialist in geriatric physical therapy, or who completed a residency or fellowship in geriatric physical therapy. This physical therapist has advanced knowledge, experience, and skills that may apply to Alzheimer’s disease.

You can find a physical therapist with these and other credentials by using Find a PT, an online tool built by the American Physical Therapy Association. Search for physical therapists by location and experience.

General tips when you are looking for a physical therapist (or other health care provider):

  • Ask family, friends, and other health care providers to recommend a physical therapist.
  • Ask about their experience working with people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia before you make an appointment.
  • Be prepared to describe symptoms in as much detail as possible, and say what makes the symptoms worse.