I BELIEVE...
that EVERYONE, no matter what their cognitive level, fitness level,
stage of aging or condition can find their BEST quality of life through movement, personal connections, laughter, love, positive experiences and opportunities for success.
Yes, the Statistics are Staggering......the impact on individuals and their caregivers is getting worse every year. According to the Alzheimer's Association's Facts and Figures for 2012, one in eight older Americans has Alzheimer's disease. That is in addition to other forms of dementia. As the various parts of the brain deteriorate, thinking skills deteriorate until a person can no longer care for him/herself.
We need to "think outside of the box" when it comes to helping individuals and families to find ways to continue living Life with opportunities for positive experiences..... even in the face of such a challenging illness.
I BELIEVE.....
that Individuals with any level of memory impairment can experience the JOY and positive benefits that movement to music can bring! I see it every time I am with an elder who goes from dozing off in their chair to waving their hands, tapping their feet and singing all the words to a favorite Sinatra tune with me.
Evidence is piling up that shows why people with dementia do better with daily exercise. It can help with management of behaviors by helping reduce the incidence of anxiety, aggression and stress. We all know how exercise can help with sleep, digestion and pain relief. One study showed that daily exercise actually improved mental ability by 30% over a one year period in older people with dementia - women in the study also improved their ability to feed, dress and bathe themselves. The control group of those with dementia that didn't exercise......showed NO gains.
The International Journal of Sports Medicine
...and challenging your brain by Trying NEW things Every Day will help keep those neurons going too!!!!
Mastering Facebook at 91 !!!
