Exercise and Diet

Exercise enhances your quality of life. But as the relative/carer of a person with dementia, it may not be possible to make time or have the energy for exercise. However, exercise has major health benefits. It is good for stress and often gives a person greater strength and more energy. Exercising with others can also help prevent isolation. Remember, exercise does not need to consist of hard physical training, but can be incorporated into your everyday life together with the person you are caring for and with other people.

A healthy and nutritional diet is important and may help prevent disease. If you are not eating a well balanced diet, and if you do not get enough fluids, it will have a negative impact on the body's functions, both physically and psychologically. You can become nervous, irritable, lethargic and tired and possibly experience a weight loss or gain.

Early on in dementia, the relative/carer is usually responsible for the daily diet. For many relatives, this will be a new task, and you may need support with this. The support can be in the form of help with shopping, delivering food or even meal preparation. Talk to your family or friends and find out who is willing to help with this. It is important to emphasize the significance of a healthy and well balanced diet both for yourself and for the person you are caring for.

• Get out and go for a walk as often as you can.
• Keep up your exercise routine
• Accept help from others so you can exercise.
• Eat a healthy and well balanced diet; meal services are available if needed.
• Make mealtimes a time to enjoy each others' company.