Dementia and Alzheimers

How Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Can Help with Dementia and Alzheimers

Dementia and Alzheimers are conditions that affect many elderly individuals, causing significant changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, and ability to perform daily activities. It can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for both the individual and their loved ones. Chartered physiotherapists and occupational therapists can play a crucial role in helping individuals with dementia and Alzheimers maintain their physical and emotional well-being.

Here are a few ways physiotherapy and occupational therapy can help individuals with dementia and Alzheimers:

• Promote physical activity and mobility: Physiotherapy helps maintain mobility and physical function, reducing the risk of falls and other complications. Chartered physiotherapists develop personalised exercise programmes tailored to the individual’s abilities.
• Improve balance and coordination: These conditions can impair balance, increasing fall risks. Physiotherapists work to enhance coordination, while occupational therapists suggest home adaptations like grab rails.
• Alleviate pain: Physiotherapy manages pain and discomfort from related conditions, improving quality of life. Occupational therapists assess daily activities to reduce strain.
• Improve sleep: Changes in sleep patterns are common; physiotherapists recommend exercises to aid rest, and occupational therapists advise on routines for better patterns.
• Support emotional well-being: Both therapies provide empathetic environments. Physiotherapy reduces anxiety through activity, while occupational therapy focuses on meaningful tasks to combat depression.

Home Adaptations and Exercises for Dementia and Alzheimers

Our team integrates physiotherapy exercises (e.g., seated marches for mobility) with occupational therapy adaptations (e.g., simplified kitchens or memory aids) to support independence, safety, and cognitive engagement in dementia and Alzheimers patients.

At Medella Home Physio & OT, our chartered physiotherapists and occupational therapists are experts in manual handling, mobility assessment, and advice for carers and family members. We provide mobile services to patients in their own homes and care homes in Ringwood, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Ferndown, Fordingbridge, Verwood, Highcliffe, and surrounding areas in Hampshire and Dorset.

If you or a loved one is suffering from dementia and Alzheimers, our team can help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can improve physical and emotional well-being.