Key Message #1

Dementia Is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Want to keep your brain healthy as you age? Learn what YOU can do to reduce your risk of dementia.

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Focus On Exercise

Walking the dog counts as exercise – a strategy for preventing dementia

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), most people tend to focus on one activity or type of exercise and think they’re doing enough. The goal, however, is to be creative and choose all four types of exercise — ENDURANCE, STRENGTH, BALANCE, and FLEXIBILITY. Developed by the NIA, Go4Life is full of tips and information to help you get moving and lead a healthy lifestyle. https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/

Practice all four types of exercise: ENDURANCE, STRENGTH, BALANCE, and FLEXIBILITY

Dementia Is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Get Moving

exercise can help in preventing dementia

If we were to make just one suggestion for preventing dementia it would be, “Exercise!”

Recent research has shown that exercise

  • helps the body release hormones that make us feel great and aid in providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells.
  • is crucial for maintaining good blood flow to the brain, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, but it also helps protect against the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
  • increases growth factors in the brain making it easier for the brain to grow new neuronal connections.
  • facilitates information processing and memory functions.
  • healthy aging adults improve their memory, brain health and physical fitness.
  • boosts the size of the hippocampus, which is involved in verbal memory and learning.

What YOU Can Do – How YOU Can Get Started

  1. Find a partner to exercise with. It’s always more fun when you have company.
  2. Reach out to a local church, senior center or long-term care community and ask to be partnered with a senior who would like companionship.
  3. Exercise with a friend, child, or partner with someone who is living with dementia.

Try these easy ways to get moving and keep your brain healthy

  • Walk a dog
  • Play with a child
  • Garden
  • Take a yoga, Tai Chi or dance class
  • Bike
  • Swim
  • Play frisbee
  • Hike
Go to Key Message #2

Success Stories

We love hearing how the Dementia Friends sessions have impacted you and your understanding of those with dementia. We invite you to share your experiences and successes with us!

Share Your Success Story

Dementia Friend communicating with a person with dementia

“There’s someone in my family who’s affected, and now I have more of an understanding of how to help this person.”

“I know what I’m going to do now. I’m going to call my sister who has dementia. I haven’t talked to her in a year because I didn’t know what to say. Now I do.”

“I now feel more comfortable reaching out to people with dementia.”

“I want to do everything I can to make my neighbor’s life more enjoyable and show her the respect she deserves.”

“I hope to help more people understand dementia.”